What Is a Record Suspension in Canada?

A Record Suspension does not erase or destroy a criminal record. It can keep an eligible record separate from ordinary searches of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), subject to the applicable rules.

The official PBC explanation should be checked for the current legal effect and exceptions. Read What is a Record Suspension?.

Record Suspensions are governed at the federal level under the Criminal Records Act. The Parole Board of Canada is responsible for decisions on applications.

Applicants must provide the required information and supporting documents. The exact documents depend on the record and circumstances. Use the official PBC application guide and forms as the controlling source.

A granted Record Suspension may reduce some practical barriers where an ordinary Canadian criminal-record search would otherwise disclose the record. The effect depends on the check, organization, offence, and applicable rules.

• It may help with some employment or volunteer screening situations.
• It may reduce practical barriers in some housing or rental situations.
• It may help an applicant move forward after completing the sentence and waiting period.
• It does not guarantee employment, housing, licensing, immigration, or foreign travel outcomes.

Eligibility depends on the offence, the date of the first offence, the method of trial, completion of the sentence, and the applicable waiting period.

You generally must complete all parts of the sentence before the waiting period begins, including fines, surcharges, restitution, compensation orders, imprisonment, conditional sentences, parole, statutory release, and probation where applicable.

For current criteria, read Who is eligible for a Record Suspension?. The official page explains that waiting periods can differ by date, offence classification, and circumstances.

Restrictions apply to certain convictions and circumstances. For example, some Schedule 1 offences involving minors and certain combinations of serious convictions may require special consideration or may make an applicant ineligible.

Some people do not need a Record Suspension for certain outcomes, such as only having an absolute or conditional discharge, but the exact treatment should be verified from the current official instructions.

A preliminary assessment may help organize the relevant facts, but it is not an official eligibility decision.

Foreign travel

A Canadian Record Suspension does not automatically guarantee entry to the United States or another country. Foreign authorities apply their own rules.

Processing time depends on the application and whether it is complete and accepted. Current PBC service standards state that applications involving summary offences are processed within 6 months of acceptance, indictable offences within 12 months, and proposed refusals may take up to 24 months.

These are service standards, not a guarantee. Read the current PBC service standards before relying on a timeframe.

The current PBC application fee is $50 CAD according to the official fee information. Confirm the current amount and payment instructions at the official PBC fee page.