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Record Suspension Program 2021-2022 Report to Parliament

Record Suspension Program 2021-2022 Report to Parliament [PDF - 705 KB]

About this publication

Publication author: Parole Board of Canada
ISSN 2564-0828

Table of Contents

Introduction

Pursuant to section 11 of the Criminal Records Act (CRA), the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) must submit a report on the record suspension program to the Minister of Public Safety within three months after the end of each fiscal year. The report must contain the following information:

  1. the 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 ;
  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);
  3. the number of record suspensions ordered, categorized by the offence to which they relate; and,
  4. the number of record suspensions ordered by the province or territory of residence of the applicant.

Due to a Federal Court decision in March 2020, the PBC no longer retrospectively applies legislative amendments made to the CRA in 2010 and 2012. In applying this court decision, the PBC processes pardonsFootnote 3  and record suspensions. This report also contains information related to the above with respect to pardons processed by the PBC during fiscal year 2021-2022. More information on the court decision can be found under the Background section of this report.

Background

The PBC (or the Board), as part of the criminal justice system, contributes to the protection of society by facilitating, as appropriate, the timely reintegration of offenders and the sustained rehabilitation of individuals into society as law-abiding citizens. The Board makes independent, quality conditional release, record suspension and expungement decisions, as well as clemency recommendations, in a transparent and accountable manner, while respecting diversity and the rights of offenders and victims. The PBC is headed by a Chairperson who reports to Parliament through the Minister of Public Safety.

The record suspension program supports the successful reintegration of an individual into society, as it can assist them in accessing employment, educational and volunteer opportunities. 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 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. 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 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 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 offencesFootnote 4  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 awarded.

From February 2012 to March 2020, applicants to the program 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). The first annual increase to the application fee occurred on March 31, 2020 and brought the application fee to $644.88. On March 31, 2021, the second CPI increase brought the cost of a record suspension application to $657.77. On December 21, 2021, the Minister of Public Safety announced that effective January 1, 2022, the record suspension application fee would be $50. The previous higher fee represented a significant barrier for individuals with a criminal record wanting to apply for a record suspension. Lowering the application fee has increased access to record suspensions, and thereby improving access to employment, housing, education and other necessities that support sustained reintegration. 

Application fees paid prior to January 1, 2022 include service standards established under the SFA. Specifically, applications involving summary convictions are to be processed within six months of the date of acceptance of the application, while applications involving indictable offences are to be processed within 12 months of the date of acceptance. Applications for which the Board is proposing to refuse to order/deny a record suspension/pardon 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. Although there are no legislated service standards attached to the new $50 application fee, the PBC will continue to process applications in a timely manner and endeavour to adhere to the established processing times noted above.

As part of the record suspension program, the CRA provides for a no-cost 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 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.

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 (the Charter) 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 retrospectively applies 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 first offence prior to the coming into force of these changes. This means that applications are being processed using the CRA eligibility criteria in place at the time of an applicant’s first offence.

On April 1, 2021, the PBC introduced its Remission Policy. The SFA aims at strengthening the transparency and accountability of service fees management. A key component of this Act is the introduction of remissions. A remission is the refund, credit, waiver or any kind of reimbursement to a fee-payer for a fee or portion of a fee paid in respect of a service for which the department determines the service standard was not met. The objective of this policy is to provide a fair and consistent approach in the management of remissions in accordance with Treasury Board policies and directives. This policy provides direction to PBC and clarifies its role and responsibilities with respect to monitoring service standards for record suspension applications and providing remission of a percentage of the application fee when these standards are not met. The PBC's Remission Policy applies only to applications received between April 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 with a processing fee of $657.77 or $644.88.

Findings for 2021-2022

Number of Applications

In 2021-2022, the Board received 10,981 record suspension applications and accepted 7,269 (66%) as eligible and complete. There were 1,786 applications (16%)Footnote 5  that were rejected at screening due to ineligibility, missing payment, wrong processing fee and/or missing documentation. At the end of the fiscal year, there were 1,926 applications (18%) that had been received, but not yet processed. The high number of unprocessed applications was due, in large part, to the rise in application volumes close to fiscal year-end. This increase can be attributed to the reduction in the application fee. The PBC accepted 80% of the applications processed during the fiscal year. In the previous fiscal year, 2020-2021, the Board received 9,140 record suspension applications and accepted 7,443 of them (or 81%).

The record suspension program was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken by governments, police services and courthouses to adhere to public health and safety guidelines. While there was a notable increase in overall applications received in 2021-2022 compared to the previous year, application volumes remained lower than the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the Federal Court decision in March 2020 that resulted in record suspension applications being processed using the CRA eligibility criteria in place at the time of an applicant’s first offence, there continue to be fewer applications processed as record suspensions under the current CRA. The majority of applications received in 2021-2022 were processed as pardons under previous versions of the CRA (as it relates to eligibility periods and criteria).

The chart below indicates the number of record suspension applications received in each fiscal year over the last five years: 2017-2018 to 2021-2022.

Figure 1 - Incoming application totals
Year Incoming applications
2017-2018 14,662
2018-2019 13,826
2019-2020 12,441
2020-2021 9,140
2021-2022 10,981

The PBC anticipates that application volumes will continue to rise as Canada recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and opens up services more broadly. Furthermore, with the introduction of the reduced application fee in January 2022, the PBC expects to see a significant increase in applications in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Record Suspension Decisions

1.     Number of applications for record suspensions made in 2021-2022 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.

As per paragraph 4.1(1)(b) 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 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 2021-2022 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)

Indictable offences* Summary offences**
7 1,242

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
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 2021-2022 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))
51 1,508 9 47

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction  Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some applications from 2021-2022.
*** Excluded are record suspensions ordered for only simple possession of cannabis convictions.

3.     Number of applications for pardons made in 2021-2022 in respect of offences referred to in each of paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b)

In 2021-2022, 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 CRAFootnote6, 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 CRAFootnote 7, a pardon for an offence punishable on summary conviction or a service offence referred to in subparagraph 4(b)(ii) shall be issued Footnote 8 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 CRAFootnote 9, 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 CRAFootnote 10, 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 2021-2022 in respect of offences referred to in paragraphs 4(1)(a) and (b).

Indictable offences Summary offences
3,617 2,403

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Excluded are files that were accepted and subsequently discontinued.

4.     Number of pardonsFootnote 11 that the Board issued, granted or denied in 2021-2022 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))
2,054 4,124 545 220 27

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2021-2022.

5.    Number of applications for record suspensions made, accepted and ordered in 2021-2022 containing only simple possession of cannabis conviction(s)

Received Accepted Ordered Discontinued Ineligible/Incomplete
195 143 143 0 49

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Figures for applications received include applications that were received, but not yet processed by the end of the fiscal year.

6.     Number of record suspensions ordered, pardons issued and granted in 2021-2022 categorized by the offence to which they relate

Offence Ordered/
Issued/
Granted
(Cannabis) All breaches of the National Defence Act* 1
(Cannabis) Breach of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act* 253
(Cannabis) Breach of the Narcotic Control Act* 112
Abandoning child 3
Abduction contravening a custody order 4
Abduction of female 1
Abduction where no custody order 3
Abstracts, consumes or uses electricity or gas 12
Access child pornography 4
Accessory after the fact 8
Accessory after the fact to murder 1
Accessory after the fact to robbery 2
Accessory after the fact to the commission of an offence 1
Acknowledge bail in false name 2
Acknowledging instrument in false name 1
Acquire firearm without firearms acquisition certificate 4
Administer noxious thing 3
Aggravated assault 73
Aggravated sexual assault 1
All breaches of the National Defence Act 40
Armed robbery 24
Arson 10
Arson – disregard for human life 8
Arson by negligence 3
Arson causing damage to property 25
Assault 1,539
Assault against peace-public officer 56
Assault by trespasser 1
Assault causing bodily harm 393
Assault peace officer 135
Assault with a weapon 330
Assault with intent to commit an indictable offence 3
Assault with intent to resist arrest 57
Assault with intent to steal 4
Assisting escape 1
Attempt break and enter with intent 46
Attempt fraud 29
Attempt fraud over $5,000 10
Attempt fraud under $5,000 25
Attempt robbery 8
Attempt sexual intercourse with female under 14 years 1
Attempt theft 98
Attempt to bribe peace officer 1
Attempt to commit a summary offence 20
Attempt to commit an indictable offence 20
Attempt to obstruct justice 47
Attempt to procure 1
Attempt to suffocate 1
Attempted murder 5
Bail violations 1
Bawdy house 1
Bigamy 1
Breach of an undertaking 5
Breach of conditional sentence order 7
Breach of duty with regards to explosives 1
Breach of probation 52
Breach of recognizance 30
Breach of the Aeronautics Act 2
Breach of the Bankruptcy Act 1
Breach of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act 1
Breach of the Canada National Parks Act 1
Breach of the Citizenship Act 1
Breach of the Competition Act 4
Breach of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act 1,703
Breach of the Copyright Act 6
Breach of the Customs Act 9
Breach of the Employment Insurance Act 1
Breach of the Excise Act 6
Breach of the Export and Import Permits Act 2
Breach of the Fisheries Act 17
Breach of the Food and Drugs Act 46
Breach of the Government Property Traffic Act 4
Breach of the Government Property Traffic Regulations 5
Breach of the Immigration Act 8
Breach of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act 9
Breach of the Income Tax Act 3
Breach of the Juvenile Delinquents Act 2
Breach of the Migratory Birds Convention Act 1
Breach of the Narcotic Control Act 540
Breach of the National Battlefields at Quebec Act 1
Breach of the National Defence Act 18
Breach of the Post Office Act 1
Breach of the Radiocommunication Act 1
Breach of the Railway Act 2
Breach of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act 1
Breach of the Unemployment Insurance Act 5
Breach of the Weights and Measures Act 1
Breach of the Young Offenders Act 146
Breach of the Youth Criminal Justice Act 58
Breach of trust 1
Breach of trust by public officer 5
Break and enter 36
Break and enter with intent 185
Break, enter and commit 369
Break, enter and commit an indictable offence 39
Break, enter and commit mischief 7
Break, enter and theft 426
Breaking out 2
Breaking out after committing an indictable offence 2
Bribery of a peace officer 1
Bribery of agent 2
Bribery of government officials 2
Bribery of officers 1
Buys or sells instruments for forging or falsifying credit card 1
By force break prison with intent 1
Care or control of a motor vehicle while ability impaired 99
Care or control of a motor vehicle with more than 80 mg of alcohol in blood 128
Careless storage of ammunitions 1
Careless storage of firearm, prohibited weapon, prohibited device or ammunition 14
Careless storage of firearms 7
Careless use of firearm 16
Careless use of prohibited weapon, prohibited device or ammunition 11
Carrying a concealed weapon 34
Carrying and possession of a firearm 1
Causing a disturbance 127
Causing bodily harm with intent 4
Causing unnecessary suffering to animals 4
Cheating at play 3
Commission of offence for criminal organization 11
Common assault 21
Common nuisance 5
Communicate for the purpose of prostitution 80
Communicate with person under 18 years for purpose of sex 1
Conspiracy 62
Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence 147
Conspiracy to commit arson causing damage to property 2
Conspiracy to commit fraud 5
Conspiracy to commit robbery 26
Conspiracy to commit theft 32
Conspiracy to import a narcotic 6
Conspiracy to import a scheduled substance 4
Conspiracy to possession of property obtained by crime 3
Conspiracy to produce a controlled substance 2
Conspiracy to produce a scheduled substance  2
Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled drug 1
Conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance 16
Conspiracy to traffic in a narcotic 20
Conspiracy to traffic in a restricted drug 1
Conspiracy to traffic in a scheduled substance 16
Conspiracy to traffic in credit card 1
Conspire to commit murder 1
Contempt 1
Contempt of court 3
Contravene a prohibition order 1
Conversion data 2
Corrupting morals 1
Counselling an offence that is not committed 1
Counterfeiting currency 3
Criminal breach of trust 2
Criminal harassment 111
Criminal negligence 1
Criminal negligence causing bodily harm 3
Criminal negligence causing death 3
Criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle 3
Damage to property 2
Damage under $50 2
Dangerous driving 13
Dangerous driving without due attention 9
Dangerous operation of a conveyance 5
Dangerous operation of a vessel causing bodily harm 4
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily harm 34
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing death 13
Dangerous operation of motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft 199
Dangerous use of firearm 2
Deal with a firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations 4
Deal with credit card obtained by crime 7
Delivery of firearm to person without firearms acquisition certificate 2
Disarming a peace officer 2
Discharge firearm with intent 1
Disguise with intent 58
Disobey court order 15
Disobey undertaking 1
Disposal of property to defraud creditors 1
Disturb the peace 2
Drawing document without authority 2
Drive while impaired causing bodily harm 31
Drive while impaired causing death 9
Driving while ability impaired 1,304
Driving while disqualified 287
Driving while licence suspension 16
Driving while prohibited 39
Driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood 2,679
Driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood causing bodily harm 1
Endanger life 1
Engaging in prostitution 7
Escape lawful custody 57
Exercise control 3
Exhibitionist in front of child 14 and under 2
Exposure to person under age of fourteen years 2
Extortion 38
Fail or refuse to provide breath sample 377
Fail to appear 417
Fail to attend court 309
Fail to comply with court order 25
Fail to comply with probation order 1,060
Fail to comply with recognizance 1,116
Fail to follow terms of lottery 1
Fail to provide the necessities of life 7
Failure to comply with conditions of undertaking 481
Failure to stop at scene of accident 118
Failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm 5
False alarm of fire 3
False messages 1
False pretences 60
False pretences over $1,000 4
False pretences over $200 2
False pretences over $5,000 1
False pretences under $1,000 13
False pretences under $200 5
False pretences under $5,000 11
False statement 2
False statement in relation to passport 1
False statement to procure firearms acquisition certificate 1
Falsifying employment record 1
Flight while pursued by peace officer 51
Forcible confinement 60
Forcible entry 13
Forge a credit card 1
Forgery 100
Found in common bawdy-house 7
Fraud 105
Fraud over $1,000 31
Fraud over $200 13
Fraud over $5,000 215
Fraud under $1,000 55
Fraud under $200 10
Fraud under $5,000 292
Fraudulent use of credit card 18
Fraudulent use of slugs 1
Fraudulent use of telecommunications 1
Fraudulently burning personal or commercial property 3
Fraudulently obtain computer service 3
Fraudulently obtain transportation 22
Fraudulently obtain food and lodging 14
Fraudulently obtain any computer service 1
Fraudulently use a stamp or part thereof 1
Gross indecency 2
Handle firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations 10
Harassing phone calls 17
Have stolen goods 5
Identity fraud 4
Identity theft 3
Import, export, buy or sell prohibited weapon 1
Incest 3
Indecent acts 23
Indecent assault on female 6
Indecent exposure 7
Indecent telephone calls 3
Injuring cattle 1
Inmate of a common bawdy-house 4
Intercept private communication 2
Intimidation 10
Invitation to sexual touching 7
Juvenile prostitution 1
Keeping a common bawdy-house 27
Keeping a common betting house 3
Keeping a common gaming house 2
Kidnapping 5
Killing, injuring or endangering other animals 1
Laundering proceeds of crime 6
Living off the avails of prostitution 7
Living on avails of prostitution of a person under 18 years 1
Loitering 1
Lotteries and games of chance 1
Luring a child 7
Make automatic firearm 1
Make counterfeit money 4
Make false statement in writing 1
Make false statement without permission 1
Manslaughter 18
Mischief 206
Mischief endangering life 3
Mischief over $1,000 32
Mischief over $200 1
Mischief over $5,000 64
Mischief to data 1
Mischief to private property 48
Mischief to public property 8
Mischief under $1,000 65
Mischief under $5,000 361
Misleading peace officer 2
Nudity 1
Obstruct justice 8
Obstruct peace officer 376
Obstruct public peace officer 4
Obstruction 131
Obtain credit card by fraud 1
Obtain or attempts to obtain, for consideration, the sexual service of a person under the age of 18 2
Obtain sexual services for consideration 1
Operate vessel, aircraft or railway equipment while ability impaired 2
Operate vessel, aircraft or railway equipment with more than 80 mg of alcohol in blood 1
Participation in criminal organization 1
Party to an offence 1
Passes off other wares or services with intent to deceive or defraud 3
Perjury 6
Permitting use of place as gaming or betting house 1
Personation 3
Personation at examination 1
Personation with intent 122
Pointing a firearm 11
Possession contrary to prohibition order 4
Possession of a motor vehicle on which the identification number has been removed or obliterated 3
Possession of a prohibited weapon 37
Possession of a prohibited weapon in motor vehicle 7
Possession of a restricted weapon 6
Possession of a weapon 149
Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace 7
Possession of ammunition while prohibited 2
Possession of a (false?) identity document 3
Possession of an imitation of a weapon 2
Possession of an unregistered restricted firearm 6
Possession of an unregistered restricted weapon 11
Possession of automobile master key 1
Possession of child pornography 20
Possession of counterfeit money 22
Possession of credit card obtained by crime 135
Possession of device to obtain telecommunication 3
Possession of exchequer bill 2
Possession of explosives 4
Possession of firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized 12
Possession of firearm knowing that the serial number has been altered 4
Possession of firearm while prohibited 11
Possession of firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtained by crime 2
Possession of forged passport 2
Possession of housebreaking instruments 125
Possession of incendiary device 1
Possession of instrument to be used to commit forgery 4
Possession of instruments for breaking into coin-operated devices 2
Possession of instruments for counterfeiting 2
Possession of instruments for forging or falsifying credit card 15
Possession of obscene material for the purpose of distribution 2
Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition 31
Possession of prohibited or restricted weapon at unauthorized place 5
Possession of property obtained by crime 187
Possession of property obtained by crime over $1,000 103
Possession of property obtained by crime over $200 21
Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 162
Possession of property obtained by crime under $1,000 104
Possession of property obtained by crime under $200 22
Possession of property obtained by crime under $50 2
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 374
Possession of safe-breaking instruments 2
Possession of spring knife 2
Print, copy, publish, distribute, sell or make available voyeuristic recordings 1
Proceeds of crime 9
Procures or attempts to procure a person to become a prostitute 2
Procures to make an identity document 2
Production/distribution of child pornography 6
Prowl at night 2
Public mischief 142
Publish defamatory libel 1
Pyramid scheme 1
Rape 4
Receiving property obtained by crime 1
Refuse to provide breath sample 20
Rescue or permitting escape 1
Resist arrest 22
Resist peace officer 20
Restricted weapon in motor vehicle 2
Robbery 268
Robbery with violence 10
Secret commission 2
Sell prohibited weapon 1
Setting fire to other substance 1
Sexual assault 157
Sexual assault with a weapon 3
Sexual exploitation 16
Sexual intercourse with a female under 14 years 4
Sexual interference 44
Soliciting 4
Store firearm in a manner contrary to a regulation 15
Take motor vehicle without owner's consent 66
Taking part in a riot 3
Theft 115
Theft by conversion 3
Theft by person required to account 4
Theft of auto 7
Theft of cattle 1
Theft of credit card 26
Theft of electricity or gas 1
Theft of mail 20
Theft of telecommunication service 6
Theft over $1,000 132
Theft over $200 102
Theft over $50 2
Theft over $5,000 169
Theft under $1,000 563
Theft under $200 218
Theft under $50 5
Theft under $5,000 1,413
Threatening letter 1
Threatening phone calls 3
Traffic in a credit card 3
Transfer a prohibited weapon, ammunition or device without authority 1
Transfer property with intent to defraud creditors 1
Trespass at night 31
Unauthorized importing/exporting of weapons 1
Unauthorized possession of a firearm 35
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition 1
Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon 71
Unauthorized use of computer 2
Unauthorized use of credit card data 54
Unlawful possession of explosives 1
Unlawful use of credit card 6
Unlawfully at large 77
Unlawfully causing bodily harm 5
Unlawfully in dwelling house 40
Unsafe storage of firearms 1
Use cancelled credit card 6
Use of credit card obtained by crime 88
Use of explosives with intent 1
Use of firearm 7
Use of firearm during the commission of an indictable offence 9
Use of imitation firearm 3
Use of imitation firearm during the commission of an indictable offence 8
Use, possess, or traffic a password to a computer in order to commit an offence 1
Utter death threats 5
Utter forged document 212
Utter forged passport 3
Uttering 3
Uttering counterfeit money 9
Uttering threats 506
Uttering threats to cause bodily harm 8
Uttering, using or exporting counterfeit money 14
Voyeurism 5
Watch and beset 2
Weapons trafficking 2
Wilful damage 9

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.
* Excluded are record suspensions ordered for only simple possession of cannabis convictions.

7.     Number of record suspensions in 2021-2022 ordered by province/territory of residence of the applicant

Province/Territory Ordered
Prince Edward Island 8
Nova Scotia 28
New Brunswick 23
Newfoundland and Labrador 20
Quebec 507
Ontario 665
Manitoba 23
Saskatchewan 42
Alberta 181
British Columbia 42
Yukon 0
Northwest Territories 3
Nunavut 0
Out of country 17

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2021-2022.

8.     Number of pardons issued in 2021-2022 by province/territory of residence of the applicant

Province/Territory Issued
Prince Edward Island 7
Nova Scotia 40
New Brunswick 44
Newfoundland and Labrador 47
Quebec 597
Ontario 703
Manitoba 53
Saskatchewan 70
Alberta 312
British Columbia 151
Yukon 3
Northwest Territories 7
Nunavut 4
Out of country 16

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2021-2022.

9.     Number of pardons granted in 2021-2022 by province/territory of residence of the applicant

Province/Territory Granted
Prince Edward Island 11
Nova Scotia 79
New Brunswick 74
Newfoundland and Labrador 51
Quebec 1,733
Ontario 1,466
Manitoba 134
Saskatchewan 135
Alberta 580
British Columbia 346
Yukon 5
Northwest Territories 5
Nunavut 1
Out of country 49

Data Source: PBC-PARSS, Data Extraction Date: 2022-04-01
Note: Includes applications received in previous fiscal years, as well as some received in 2021-2022.

Other Information Required by the Minister

Pursuant to paragraph 11(1)(d) 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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