Record Suspension Program 2019-2020 Report to Parliament
From: Parole Board of Canada
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Background
- Findings for 2019-2020
- Number of applications
- Record Suspension Decisions
- Number of applications for record suspensions made in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
- Number of record suspensions that the Board ordered or refused to order in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
- Number of applications for pardons made in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
- Number of pardons that the Board issued, granted and/or denied in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
- The number of applications for record suspensions made, accepted and ordered in 2019-2020 containing only simple possession of cannabis conviction(s)
- Number of record suspensions ordered, pardon issued and granted in 2019-2020 categorized by the offence to which they relate
- Number of record suspensions in 2019-2020 ordered by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
- Number of pardons issued in 2019-2020 by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
- Number of pardons granted in 2019-2020 by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
- Other information required by the Minister
Introduction
Pursuant to section 11 of the Criminal Records Act (CRA), within three months after the end of each fiscal year, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) must submit a report on the record suspension program to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada. The report must contain the following information:
- Number of applications for record suspensions made in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a)Footnote 1 and (b)Footnote 2 ;
- The number of record suspensions that the Board ordered or refused to order in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b);
- Number of record suspensions ordered, categorized by the offence to which they relate; and
- The number of record suspensions ordered by the province or territory of residence of the applicant.
Background
As part of the criminal justice system, the PBC, or the Board, makes independent, quality conditional release, record suspension/pardon, expungement decisions, and clemency recommendations. The PBC is headed by a Chairperson who reports to Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. The Board contributes to the protection of society by facilitating, as appropriate, the timely re-integration of offenders into society as law-abiding citizens.
The record suspension program supports the successful reintegration of an individual into society, as it can assist an individual in accessing employment and educational opportunities, among other things. It is a formal attempt to remove the stigma of a criminal record for people found guilty of an offence under an Act of Parliament and who have completed their sentence and demonstrated law-abiding behaviour for a prescribed number of years. A record suspension restricts access to records under federal jurisdiction, removes disqualifications caused by a criminal conviction that would result from a conviction under federal statute or regulation, such as the ability to contract with the federal government, or eligibility for Canadian citizenship. It does not, however, guarantee either entry or visa privileges to another country nor does it have effect on a prohibition order under section 109 of the Criminal Code of Canada (CCC).
Although the CRA applies only to records kept by federal organizations, many provincial, territorial and municipal criminal justice agencies also restrict access to their records once they are informed that a record suspension has been ordered. A record suspension does not, however, erase the fact that an individual was convicted of a crime. The criminal record is not deleted/purged, but it is kept separate and apart from other (non-suspended) criminal records. Through the program, the PBC reviews record suspension applications for completeness and eligibility, and collects information for investigation and decision-making. The Board has exclusive jurisdiction and absolute discretion to order, refuse to order, or revoke a record suspension under the CRA.
The process for revocation is started when the Board is notified, usually by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, that the person is subsequently convicted of an offence referred to in paragraph 4(1)(b) of the CRA, other than an offence referred to in subparagraph 7.2(a)(ii) of the CRA. A record suspension/pardon can also be revoked on evidence establishing to the satisfaction of the Board that: the person is no longer of good conduct, or the person to whom it relates knowingly made a false or deceptive statement in relation to the application for the record suspension/pardon, or knowingly concealed some material particular in relation to that application.
The CRA authorizes that a record suspension/pardon ceases to have effect if a person is subsequently convicted of an indictable offence under a federal act or regulation of Canada or certain other types of offencesNote de bas de page 3 that are punishable either on indictable or summary conviction. A record suspension/pardon can also be ceased if the Board is convinced by new information that the person was not eligible for a record suspension/pardon at the time it was ordered/granted/issued.
Since February 2012, applicants for a record suspension have had to pay an application fee of $631. The Service Fees Act (SFA), which came into force in 2017, requires departments that charge an application fee to increase their fees on an annual basis according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). On March 31, 2020 the CPI increase brought the cost of a record suspension/pardon application to $644.88.
The application fee also includes service standards established under the SFA. Specifically, record suspension applications involving summary convictions are processed within six months of the date of acceptance of the application, while applications involving indictable offences are processed within 12 months of the date of acceptance. Applications for which the Board is proposing to refuse to order a record suspension may require up to 24 months to process after the date of application acceptance. The reason for this is that under the CRA, the Board must notify the applicant in writing of its proposal to refuse, and advise them that they are entitled to make, or have made on their behalf, any representations to the Board that they believe relevant. In some cases the Board may authorize a hearing.
On August 1, 2019, Bill C-93, An Act to provide no-cost, expedited record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis came into force. The 2019 amendments to the CRA provided a no-cost option for a record suspension for those with only simple possession of cannabis convictions. Individuals previously convicted of only simple possession of cannabis who have satisfied their sentence (excluding payment of fines and victim surcharges) can now apply to the PBC for a record suspension with no application fee or waiting period. PBC staff members administratively order record suspensions for applicants with only simple possession of cannabis convictions.
The PBC received funding in the amount of $1.26 million through a Treasury Board submission to offset the costs of providing no-cost record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis. This funding provided support for the lead-up costs incurred in preparing for these legislative amendments as well as the processing of the applications received under this legislative scheme between August 1 and March 31, 2020. The remaining portion of funds sought will be used to cash manage a shortfall in the overall record suspension program.
On March 19, 2020, the Federal Court declared the transitional provisions of amendments to section 4 of the CRA, namely, section 10 of the Limiting Pardons of Serious Crimes Act and section 161 of the Safe Streets and Communities Act, unconstitutional. The Court concluded that these provisions infringed on subsections 11(h) and 11(i) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because they add to the punishment imposed at sentencing and deprived applicants of the benefit of the lesser punishment available at the time the offence was committed.
Because of this decision, the PBC no longer applies retrospectively legislative amendments made to the CRA in 2010 and 2012 (as it relates to eligibility periods and criteria) for all record suspension applicants who committed their most recent offence prior to the coming into force of these changes.
Findings for 2019-2020
Number of applications
In 2019-2020, the Board received 12,441 record suspension/pardon applications and accepted 9,587 applications (77%) for processing. There were 2,643 record suspension/pardon applications (21%) that were rejected at screening due to ineligibility, no payment, wrong processing fee and/or missing documentation. There were 173 files pending processing at fiscal year end and 38 files were discontinued. In the previous year, the Board received 13,827 record suspension/pardon applications and accepted 10,531 applications (or 76%).
The chart below indicates the number of record suspension/pardon applications received in each fiscal year over the last five years: 2015-2016 to 2019-2020.
Figure 1 - Incoming application totals
Year | Incoming applications |
2015-2016 | 12,384 |
2016-2017 | 11,566 |
2017-2018 | 14,662 |
2018-2019 | 13,827 |
2019-2020 | 12,441 |
In 2019-2020, while record suspension applications decreased by over 100 per month compared to the previous year, application volumes returned to normal after a brief surge during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 fiscal years. Factors behind the surge of new applications such as the wait period of 5 years being met after the 2012 changes to the CRA and the impacts of 2017 court decisions in British Columbia and Ontario appear to have stabilized. The addition of the new business line of no-cost record suspensions for simple possession of cannabis may have also played a role in the decline of regular record suspension applications received in 2019-2020.
Record Suspension Decisions
1. Number of applications for record suspensions made in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
As per paragraph 4.1(1)(a) of the CRA, the Board may order that an applicant’s record in respect of an offence be suspended if the Board is satisfied that during the applicable period, the applicant has been of good conduct and has not been convicted of an offence under an Act of Parliament. Pursuant to paragraph 4.1(1)(b), the Board may order that an applicant’s record in respect of an offence be suspended if the Board is satisfied that during the applicable period, the applicant has been of good conduct and it would provide them with a measurable benefit, sustain their rehabilitation into society as a law abiding citizen and would not bring the administration of justice into disrepute. The applicant must clearly describe how receiving a record suspension would provide them with a measurable benefit and sustain their rehabilitation into society as a law abiding citizen.
The number of applications for a record suspension accepted in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
Indictable offences* | Summary offences** |
2,121 | 3,106 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Excluded are files that were accepted and subsequently discontinued.
*An indictable conviction offence is an offence which can only be tried on an indictment after a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is a prima facie case to answer.
**Summary conviction offences are considered less serious than indictable offences because they are punishable by lesser penalties. The maximum penalty for a summary conviction offence is a sentence of six months of imprisonment, a fine of $5,000 or both.
2. Number of record suspensions that the Board ordered or refused to order in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
Ordered (pursuant to 4(1)(a)) |
Ordered (pursuant to 4(1)(b)) |
Refused to Order (pursuant to 4(1)(a)) |
Refused to Order (pursuant to 4(1)(b)) |
---|---|---|---|
2,184 | 3,103 | 108 |
101 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some applications from 2019-2020.
3. Number of applications for pardons made in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
In 2019-2020, a proportion of applications were processed as pardons under the relevant scheme of the CRA.
Legislative scheme: C-47
As per subsection 4.1(1) of the CRANote de bas de page 4, the Board may grant a pardon for an offence prosecuted by indictment or a service offence referred to in subparagraph 4(a)(ii) if the Board is satisfied that the applicant, during the period of five years referred to in paragraph 4(a), has been of good conduct; and has not been convicted of an offence under an Act of Parliament or a regulation made under an Act of Parliament.
As per subsection 4.1(2) of the CRANote de bas de page 5, a pardon for an offence punishable on summary conviction or a service offence referred to in subparagraph 4(b)(ii) shall be issued if the applicant has not been convicted of an offence under an Act of Parliament or a regulation made under an Act of Parliament during the period of three years referred to in paragraph 4(b).
Legislative scheme: C-23A
As per subsection 4.1(1) of the CRANote de bas de page 6, the Board may grant a pardon for an offence if the Board is satisfied that the applicant, during the applicable period referred to in section 4, has been of good conduct and has not been convicted of an offence under an Act of Parliament; and if granting the pardon at that time would provide a measurable benefit to the applicant, would sustain their rehabilitation in society as a law-abiding citizen and would not bring the administration of justice into disrepute.
As per subsection 4.1(1) of the CRANote de bas de page 7, the Board may grant a pardon for an offence punishable on summary conviction or a service offence within the meaning of the National Defence Act if the Board is satisfied that the applicant, during the applicable period referred to in section 4, has been of good conduct and has not been convicted of an offence under an Act of Parliament.
The number of applications for a pardon accepted in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b).
Indictable offences | Summary offences |
---|---|
2,408 | 1,952 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2019-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2019-2020.
4. Number of pardonsFootnote 8 that the Board issued, granted and/or denied in 2019-2020 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)
Issued (pursuant to 4(1)(b)) |
Granted (pursuant to 4(1) (a)) |
Granted (pursuant to 4(1) (b)) |
Denied (pursuant to 4(1)(a)) |
Denied (pursuant to 4(1)(b)) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1,552 | 2,696 | 461 | 167 | 43 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2019-2020.
5. The number of applications for record suspensions made, accepted and ordered in 2019-2020 containing only simple possession of cannabis conviction(s)
Received | Accepted | Ordered | Discontinued | Ineligible/Incomplete |
436 | 240 | 238 | 2 | 178 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications that were received, but not yet processed by the end of the fiscal year.
The total number of record suspension applications received for simple possession of cannabis is much higher compared to the number of accepted applications. This can be attributed to a high percentage of applications received being either ineligible or incomplete. In the majority of these applications, the proof of substance is not included. The onus is on the applicant to provide all of the required information/documentation, including confirmation that the substance was cannabis, to benefit from this expedited, no-cost, record suspension.
6. Number of record suspensions ordered, pardon issued and granted in 2019-2020 categorized by the offence to which they relate
Offence |
Ordered/ Issued/ Granted |
(Cannabis) Breach of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act* | 124 |
(Cannabis) Breach of the Narcotic Control Act* | 58 |
Abandoning child | 2 |
Abduction contravening a custody order | 2 |
Abduction under 16 | 1 |
Abduction where no custody order | 1 |
Abstracts, consumes or uses electricity or gas | 17 |
Access child pornography | 1 |
Accessory after the fact | 5 |
Accessory after the fact to murder | 3 |
Accessory after the fact to the commission of an offence | 2 |
Acknowledge bail in false name | 2 |
Acknowledging instrument in false name | 2 |
Acquire firearm without firearms acquisition certificate | 4 |
Administer noxious thing | 4 |
Aggravated assault | 85 |
Aggravated sexual assault | 2 |
Aiding suicide | 1 |
All breaches of the National Defence Act | 71 |
Anal intercourse | 1 |
Armed robbery | 37 |
Arson | 17 |
Arson - disregard for human life | 7 |
Arson by negligence | 1 |
Arson causing damage to property | 26 |
Assault | 1,910 |
Assault against peace-public officer | 58 |
Assault by trespasser | 2 |
Assault causing bodily harm | 484 |
Assault peace officer | 132 |
Assault with a weapon | 337 |
Assault with intent to commit an indictable offence | 1 |
Assault with intent to resist arrest | 57 |
Assault with intent to steal | 5 |
Attack on premises of internationally protected persons | 1 |
Attempt break and enter with intent | 65 |
Attempt fraud | 40 |
Attempt fraud over $5000 | 15 |
Attempt fraud under $5000 | 21 |
Attempt rape | 1 |
Attempt robbery | 18 |
Attempt theft | 128 |
Attempt to commit a summary offence | 17 |
Attempt to commit an indictable offence | 30 |
Attempt to obstruct justice | 43 |
Attempt to procure | 1 |
Attempted murder | 1 |
Breach of an undertaking | 13 |
Breach of conditional sentence order | 4 |
Breach of duty with regards to explosives | 1 |
Breach of probation | 54 |
Breach of recognizance | 44 |
Breach of terms and conditions of lottery licence | 1 |
Breach of the Bankruptcy Act | 1 |
Breach of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act | 5 |
Breach of the Canada Elections Act | 1 |
Breach of the Canada Shipping Act | 2 |
Breach of the Citizenship Act | 2 |
Breach of the Competition Act | 1 |
Breach of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act | 1,957 |
Breach of the Copyright Act | 4 |
Breach of the Customs Act | 12 |
Breach of the Employment Insurance Act | 3 |
Breach of the Excise Act | 26 |
Breach of the Firearms Act | 1 |
Breach of the Fisheries Act | 30 |
Breach of the Food and Drugs Act | 63 |
Breach of the Government Property Traffic Act | 2 |
Breach of the Government Property Traffic Regulations | 8 |
Breach of the Immigration Act | 12 |
Breach of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act | 6 |
Breach of the Income Tax Act | 4 |
Breach of the Indian Act | 2 |
Breach of the Juvenile Delinquents Act | 1 |
Breach of the Liquor Act | 1 |
Breach of the Migratory Birds Convention Act | 3 |
Breach of the Narcotic Control Act | 995 |
Breach of the National Battlefields at Quebec Act | 4 |
Breach of the National Defence Act | 21 |
Breach of the Radiocommunication Act | 2 |
Breach of the Tobacco Act | 1 |
Breach of the Unemployment Insurance Act | 10 |
Breach of the Weights and Measures Act | 1 |
Breach of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection/Regulation of International Trade Act | 1 |
Breach of the Young Offenders Act | 172 |
Breach of the Youth Criminal Justice Act | 40 |
Breach of trust by public officer | 6 |
Break and enter | 35 |
Break and enter with intent | 263 |
Break, enter and commit | 364 |
Break, enter and commit an indictable offence | 32 |
Break, enter and commit mischief | 15 |
Break, enter and theft | 524 |
Breaking out | 4 |
Breaking out after committing an indictable offence | 1 |
Bribery of agent | 1 |
Bribery of officers | 2 |
Care or control of a motor vehicle while ability impaired | 126 |
Care or control of a motor vehicle with more than 80 mg of alcohol in blood | 175 |
Careless storage of ammunitions | 2 |
Careless storage of firearm, prohibited weapon, prohibited device or ammunition | 24 |
Careless storage of firearms | 10 |
Careless use of firearm | 24 |
Careless use of prohibited weapon, prohibited device or ammunition | 19 |
Carnal knowledge | 1 |
Carry a concealed weapon | 64 |
Carrying and possession of a firearm | 3 |
Cause a disturbance | 193 |
Causing bodily harm with intent | 6 |
Causing injury with intent | 2 |
Causing unnecessary suffering to animals | 2 |
Cheating at play | 1 |
Choking | 2 |
Commission of offence for criminal organization | 3 |
Common assault | 23 |
Common nuisance | 2 |
Communicate for the purpose of prostitution | 45 |
Compounding indictable offence | 1 |
Conspiracy | 74 |
Conspiracy to commit a summary offence | 3 |
Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence | 90 |
Conspiracy to commit arson causing damage to property | 1 |
Conspiracy to commit fraud | 8 |
Conspiracy to commit robbery | 18 |
Conspiracy to commit theft | 18 |
Conspiracy to commit uttering counterfeit money | 4 |
Conspiracy to import a narcotic | 2 |
Conspiracy to import a scheduled substance | 1 |
Conspiracy to possession of property obtained by crime | 4 |
Conspiracy to produce a scheduled substance | 4 |
Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled drug | 2 |
Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance | 9 |
Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic | 19 |
Conspiracy to traffic in a restricted drug | 1 |
Conspiracy to traffic in a scheduled substance | 6 |
Conspire to commit murder | 1 |
Contravene a prohibition order | 1 |
Contribution to juvenile delinquency | 2 |
Corroboration | 1 |
Corrupting children | 2 |
Counsel to commit murder | 1 |
Counselling an indictable offence | 4 |
Counselling an offence that is not committed | 3 |
Counterfeiting stamps | 1 |
Criminal breach of trust | 4 |
Criminal harassment | 172 |
Criminal interest rate | 3 |
Criminal negligence | 3 |
Criminal negligence causing bodily harm | 9 |
Criminal negligence causing death | 2 |
Criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle | 2 |
Damage to property | 5 |
Damage under $50 | 1 |
Dangerous driving without due attention | 33 |
Dangerous operation of a vessel causing bodily harm | 1 |
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily harm | 54 |
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death | 14 |
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft | 239 |
Dangerous use of firearm | 3 |
Deal with a firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations | 7 |
Deals with credit card obtained by crime | 6 |
Disguise with intent | 55 |
Disobey court order | 17 |
Disposal of property to defraud creditors | 1 |
Disturb the peace | 3 |
Drawing document without authority | 2 |
Drive while impaired causing bodily harm | 43 |
Drive while impaired causing death | 11 |
Driving while ability impaired | 1,615 |
Driving while disqualified | 342 |
Driving while licence suspension | 4 |
Driving while prohibited | 42 |
Driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood | 3,256 |
Driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood causing bodily harm | 3 |
Endanger life | 2 |
Engage in bookmaking | 1 |
Engaging in prostitution | 6 |
Escape lawful custody | 39 |
Explosives | 1 |
Exposure to person under age of fourteen years | 1 |
Extortion | 21 |
Fabricating evidence | 2 |
Fail or refuse to provide breath sample | 457 |
Fail to appear | 441 |
Fail to attend court | 302 |
Fail to comply with court order | 43 |
Fail to comply with probation order | 1,066 |
Fail to comply with recognizance | 1,165 |
Fail to provide the necessities of life | 3 |
Fail to report a found weapon | 1 |
Failure to comply with conditions of undertaking | 423 |
Failure to keep watch on person towed | 1 |
Failure to stop at scene of accident | 149 |
Failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm | 5 |
False alarm of fire | 5 |
False messages | 4 |
False pretences | 76 |
False pretences over $1000 | 3 |
False pretences over $200 | 2 |
False pretences over $5000 | 1 |
False pretences under $1000 | 14 |
False pretences under $200 | 2 |
False pretences under $5000 | 15 |
False statement | 3 |
False statement in relation to passport | 3 |
Falsification of books and documents | 1 |
Finding weapon | 1 |
Firearms possession and other offences | 1 |
Flight while pursued by peace officer | 52 |
Forcible confinement | 58 |
Forcible entry | 20 |
Forge a credit card | 6 |
Forgery | 50 |
Forgery of a trade-mark | 1 |
Fraud | 107 |
Fraud over $1000 | 41 |
Fraud over $200 | 20 |
Fraud over $5000 | 176 |
Fraud under $1000 | 59 |
Fraud under $200 | 5 |
Fraud under $50 | 1 |
Fraud under $5000 | 261 |
Frauds upon the government | 1 |
Fraudulent concealment | 1 |
Fraudulent use of Certificate of Citizenship | 2 |
Fraudulent use of credit card | 11 |
Fraudulently burning personal or commercial property | 2 |
Fraudulently obtain computer service | 1 |
Fraudulently obtain transportation | 14 |
Fraudulently obtaining food and lodging | 15 |
Gross indecency | 2 |
Handle firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations | 11 |
Harassing communications | 3 |
Harassing phone calls | 35 |
Have stolen goods | 9 |
Identity fraud | 2 |
Identity theft | 2 |
Illegal sale of lottery tickets | 1 |
Importing or delivering prohibited weapon | 1 |
Incest | 2 |
Indecent acts | 18 |
Indecent assault on female | 9 |
Indecent assault on male | 2 |
Indecent exposure | 2 |
Indecent telephone calls | 5 |
Injuring cattle | 1 |
Inmate of a common bawdy-house | 1 |
Intercept private communication | 1 |
Intimidation | 8 |
Invitation to sexual touching | 6 |
Keep gaming equipment | 1 |
Keeping a common bawdy-house | 16 |
Keeping a common betting house | 1 |
Keeping a common gaming house | 4 |
Kidnapping | 3 |
Killing, injuring or endangering other animals | 4 |
Laundering proceeds of crime | 4 |
Living off the avails of prostitution | 4 |
Loitering | 1 |
Lotteries and games of chance | 2 |
Luring a child | 5 |
Make counterfeit money | 3 |
Make false statement in writing | 2 |
Manslaughter | 9 |
Mischief | 242 |
Mischief endangering life | 2 |
Mischief over $1000 | 51 |
Mischief over $200 | 1 |
Mischief over $5000 | 72 |
Mischief to data | 2 |
Mischief to private property | 49 |
Mischief to public property | 19 |
Mischief under $1000 | 121 |
Mischief under $5000 | 349 |
Misleading peace officer | 2 |
Non support | 1 |
Obstruct justice | 12 |
Obstruct peace officer | 319 |
Obstruct public peace officer | 8 |
Obstruction | 91 |
Obtain credit card by fraud | 2 |
Occupant of motor vehicle who knows contains a prohibited weapon | 1 |
Operate vessel, aircraft or railway equipment while ability impaired | 3 |
Operate vessel, aircraft or railway equipment with more than 80mg of alcohol in blood | 4 |
Overcoming resistance to commission of offence | 2 |
Participate in a lottery scheme | 1 |
Participation in criminal organization | 2 |
Party to an offence | 1 |
Perjury | 4 |
Permitting use of place as gaming or betting house | 1 |
Personating peace officer | 3 |
Personation | 7 |
Personation with intent | 108 |
Pointing a firearm | 23 |
Possession and sale of telecommunication facility | 4 |
Possession contrary to prohibition order | 5 |
Possession of a motor vehicle on which the identification number has been removed or obliterated | 1 |
Possession of a prohibited weapon | 62 |
Possession of a prohibited weapon in motor vehicle | 3 |
Possession of a restricted weapon | 9 |
Possession of a weapon | 158 |
Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace | 9 |
Possession of ammunition while prohibited | 2 |
Possession of an identity document | 2 |
Possession of an imitation of a weapon | 4 |
Possession of an offensive weapon | 1 |
Possession of an unregistered restricted firearm | 5 |
Possession of an unregistered restricted weapon | 16 |
Possession of child pornography | 18 |
Possession of counterfeit money | 21 |
Possession of credit card obtained by crime | 152 |
Possession of device to obtain telecommunication | 8 |
Possession of exchequer bill | 1 |
Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized | 9 |
Possession of firearm knowing that the serial number has been altered | 7 |
Possession of firearm while prohibited | 13 |
Possession of firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime | 2 |
Possession of forged instruments | 4 |
Possession of housebreaking instruments | 160 |
Possession of incendiary device | 1 |
Possession of incendiary material | 1 |
Possession of instrument to be used to commit forgery | 9 |
Possession of instruments for breaking into coin-operated devices | 5 |
Possession of instruments for counterfeiting | 1 |
Possession of instruments for forging or falsifying credit card | 14 |
Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition | 23 |
Possession of prohibited or restricted weapon at unauthorized place | 6 |
Possession of property obtained by crime | 255 |
Possession of property obtained by crime over $1000 | 87 |
Possession of property obtained by crime over $200 | 59 |
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 | 148 |
Possession of property obtained by crime under $1000 | 126 |
Possession of property obtained by crime under $200 | 42 |
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 | 324 |
Possession of safe-breaking instruments | 4 |
Possession of spring knife | 1 |
Prisoner unlawfully at large | 2 |
Proceeds of crime | 10 |
Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act | 1 |
Procures or attempts to procure a person to become a prostitute | 1 |
Procuring | 2 |
Production/distribution of child pornography | 6 |
Providing or making available property or services for terrorist purposes | 1 |
Prowl at night | 3 |
Public mischief | 164 |
Pyramid scheme | 1 |
Rape | 6 |
Receiving property obtained by crime | 1 |
Refuse roadside testing device | 1 |
Refuse to provide breath sample | 57 |
Register bets | 1 |
Rescue or permitting escape | 3 |
Resist arrest | 30 |
Resist peace officer | 14 |
Restricted weapon in motor vehicle | 1 |
Robbery | 254 |
Robbery with violence | 20 |
Sell lottery tickets | 1 |
Setting fire by negligence | 1 |
Setting fire to other substance | 4 |
Sexual assault | 158 |
Sexual assault causing bodily harm | 1 |
Sexual assault with a weapon | 4 |
Sexual exploitation | 12 |
Sexual intercourse with a female between 14 and 16 years of age | 1 |
Sexual intercourse with a female under 14 years | 2 |
Sexual interference | 21 |
Signing document without authority | 1 |
Soliciting | 2 |
Store firearm in a manner contrary to a regulation | 25 |
Take motor vehicle without owner's consent | 88 |
Taking part in a riot | 1 |
Theft | 144 |
Theft by person required to account | 3 |
Theft of auto | 17 |
Theft of cattle | 1 |
Theft of credit card | 23 |
Theft of mail | 10 |
Theft of telecommunication service | 9 |
Theft over $1000 | 127 |
Theft over $200 | 138 |
Theft over $50 | 7 |
Theft over $5000 | 173 |
Theft under $1000 | 837 |
Theft under $200 | 361 |
Theft under $50 | 18 |
Theft under $5000 | 1,384 |
Threatening phone calls | 2 |
Traffic in a credit card | 7 |
Transporting person to bawdy-house | 1 |
Trespass at night | 15 |
Unauthorized importing/exporting of weapons | 1 |
Unauthorized possession of a firearm | 45 |
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition | 4 |
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon | 45 |
Unauthorized use of computer | 4 |
Unauthorized use of credit card data | 46 |
Unlawful assembly | 3 |
Unlawful possession of explosives | 5 |
Unlawful use of credit card | 10 |
Unlawful use of military uniforms | 1 |
Unlawfully at large | 79 |
Unlawfully causing bodily harm | 4 |
Unlawfully in dwelling house | 54 |
Unsafe storage of firearms | 3 |
Use cancelled credit card | 4 |
Use firearm in a manner that is dangerous to the safety of other persons | 2 |
Use of credit card obtained by crime | 57 |
Use of firearm | 6 |
Use of firearm during the commission of an indictable offence | 13 |
Use of imitation firearm | 5 |
Use of imitation firearm during the commission of an indictable offence | 6 |
Use, possess, or traffic a password to a computer in order to commit an offence | 1 |
Using mails to defraud | 1 |
Utter death threats | 6 |
Utter forged document | 176 |
Utter forged passport | 2 |
Uttering | 1 |
Uttering counterfeit money | 7 |
Uttering threats | 570 |
Uttering threats to cause bodily harm | 21 |
Uttering, using or exporting counterfeit money | 19 |
Vagrancy | 4 |
Voyeurism | 5 |
Weapons trafficking | 1 |
Wilful damage | 15 |
Wounding with intent | 3 |
* Exclused are record suspensions ordered for only simple possession of cannabis convictions.
The numbers represent the offences for which a record suspension was ordered, or a pardon was issued or granted, and not the total number of record suspensions ordered, pardons issued and granted. One record suspension/pardon may have multiple offences. These statistics only indicate how many files for each specific offence were ordered/issued/granted.
7. Number of record suspensions in 2019-2020 ordered by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
Province/Territory | Ordered |
Prince Edward Island | 26 |
Nova Scotia | 192 |
New Brunswick | 123 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 168 |
Quebec | 2,439 |
Ontario | 478 |
Manitoba | 208 |
Saskatchewan | 204 |
Alberta | 1,243 |
British Colombia | 36 |
Yukon | 11 |
Northwest Territories | 12 |
Nunavut | 6 |
Out of country | 141 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2019-2020.
8. Number of pardons issued in 2019-2020 by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
Province/Territory | Issued |
Prince Edward Island | 1 |
Nova Scotia | 2 |
New Brunswick | 2 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 1 |
Quebec | 17 |
Ontario | 1,254 |
Manitoba | 3 |
Saskatchewan | 4 |
Alberta | 21 |
British Colombia | 246 |
Yukon | 0 |
Northwest Territories | 0 |
Nunavut | 0 |
Out of country | 1 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2019-2020.
9. Number of pardons granted in 2019-2020 by the province/territory of residence of the applicant
Province/Territory | Granted |
Prince Edward Island | 0 |
Nova Scotia | 0 |
New Brunswick | 0 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 0 |
Quebec | 1 |
Ontario | 2,600 |
Manitoba | 0 |
Saskatchewan | 0 |
Alberta | 1 |
British Colombia | 552 |
Yukon | 0 |
Northwest Territories | 0 |
Nunavut | 1 |
Out of country | 0 |
Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2020-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2019-2020.
Other information required by the Minister
Pursuant to paragraph 11(1) of the CRA the Board shall, within three months after the end of each fiscal year, submit to the Minister a report on the number of applications for record suspensions made; ordered or refused to order; and the number of record suspensions ordered, categorized by the offence to which they relate and the province or territory of residence. The Minister may request additional information during that same covering period. There were no additional requests for information by the Minister during this review period.
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