There are countless individuals who’ve served their sentences and are living law-abiding lives, yet continue to face stigma and barriers because they still have a criminal record.

“For too many law-abiding individuals who’ve served their sentences, a criminal record carries a stigma that can block them from housing, employment, education and more. This support will help more of them obtain a record suspension that will remove major barriers that stand in the way of fully reentering society. This is just one of the many ways that we’re making our communities safer through a justice system that’s more effective and fair for all.”

-       The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety 

“This funding will assist people in our community who have served their sentences move forward with their lives by making it easier for them to get jobs, find housing, and remain productive members of society free of criminal records.”

-       Wayne Long, Member of Parliament Saint John—Rothesay

“More than 45% of pardon applications attempted by individuals are returned due to errors, and often many individuals don't even try.  This funding is key to not only support someone throughout the process but to ensure all know that the service exists for them.”

-       Bill Bastarache, Executive Director of the John Howard Society New Brunswick

• Record suspensions help remove the stigma of a criminal record so that people with criminal records who have completed their sentences and are living law-abiding lives can access meaningful employment, housing, education, and volunteer opportunities, which are key to safe and successful reintegration as productive members of society. This improves public safety through reduced re-offending and victimization.

• The call for applications for the Contributions to National Voluntary Organizations, which ran from February 3 to March 18, 2022, will provide $18 million over four years to eligible recipient organizations to offer support services to help people complete record suspension applications and increase awareness of these support services.

• The contributions stream of the Grants and Contributions Program to National Voluntary Organizations  supports eligible recipients in offering legitimate, government-funded record suspension (pardon) application support services. It will help marginalized communities access record suspensions and ultimately facilitate their access to meaningful employment, housing, education and other necessities to support a sustained rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Related products

• Government of Canada to help more Canadians obtain record suspensions with support for community groups

Associated links

• Grants and Contributions Program to National Voluntary Organizations

Audrey Champoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
Audrey.Champoux@ps-sp.gc.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca

John Howard Society of New Brunswick
506-657-5547
info@jhsnb.ca