Starting January 1, 2022, the Government of Canada reduced the cost of applying for a record suspension from $657.77 to $50. The move is part of a commitment from Public Safety Canada to remove barriers to the safe and successful reintegration of people with criminal records who have served their sentences and are living law-abiding lives.
The significantly lower fee hopes to improve access to the record suspension application program. Record suspensions (formerly known as “pardons”) can remove the stigma of a criminal record and open opportunities to housing, employment, education, and volunteer programs.
Further investments, announced by the government on June 10, 2021, aim to improve the application process and offer additional support and information to applicants. Read more about the announcements here.
BOYNECLARKE’s Terry Sheppard, Q.C. is one of the only lawyers in the Maritimes that provides assistance navigating record suspension applications. Learn more about our services or reach out now to get started.