After much hesitation, consideration and a little bit of research I have decided to apply for a pardon.What's a pardon? A pardon allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated they are law-abiding citizens, to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records. Pardons are issued by the federal government of Canada. This means that any search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) will not show that you had a criminal record, or that you were issued a pardon.
CPIC is the information system which the US CBP (Customs and Boarder Protection) share and use to check if a Canadian individual entering the US has a criminal record. If you've never been stopped while crossing into the US and the CBP has never searched CPIC, then potentially you can apply for a pardon and have you record removed from this database.
In my situation, having a pardon does not help for US travel as I am already in the CBP (and probably now the FBI) system after being found to have a criminal record and being required to apply for an I-194 waiver. Initially I was concerned about having my records removed and the ability to access them for my next waiver renewal (my current waiver expires in November 2011). I've learned that although the record is removed from CPIC and/or other police databases, it is still accessible from the RCMP records office.
So why get the pardon? Job prospects, plan and simple. More and more companies in Canada are requiring criminal record checks for potential employees. To add, although the organization I work for already knows I have a criminal record, they have informed me that a pardon would help in my career advancement.
So recently I contacted Pardons Canada, a non-profit organization that assists individuals in removing a past criminal offence from public record. The first step was to acquire recent finger printing information and currently I am waiting for the RCMP validation. I will update you on this process. Comments appreciated.
Ryan, Nice Blog.
ReplyDeleteI want to make sure you are being looked after as quick as possible.
Please email me directly your coordinates.
Andrew Tanenbaum
Program Director, Pardons Canada
Ryan, how much are they paying you for the 'Pardons Canada' advertising?
ReplyDeleteA Pardon and an Entry Waiver are both things most people can do for themselves without paying significant fees for paper pushing.
I'm surprised that you, Ryan, did not do it yourself. Perhaps it was the advertising revenue???
It will be interesting to see if you publish this! It will reflect on the integrity of your blog.
In reply to Anonymous: "Ryan, how much are they paying you for the 'Pardons Canada' advertising?"
ReplyDeleteThis made me chuckle, as Oliver Stone stated: "Accident occurs alongside conspiracy."
Certainly I could have invested the time and effort to file for a pardon myself. For me, it was more a matter of timing. I have left it on the shelf for so long and procrastinated that I felt paying a professional to do it would finally bring closure. The spark I needed to just get it done.
If you notice from the post, I didn't in anyway endorse Pardons Canada. I have yet to see any results and will be happy to post about my experiences (good or bad).
As for the comment about advertising revenue: I am receiving nothing from Pardons Canada, or any other endorsement from posting on this blog. It's true, I do place ads on this site. Given the small amount of traffic that this blog generates, it does not sum up to much.
So why have ads at all? Although we are talking mere pennies a day, it does help to keep me motivated. Plus I actually enjoy some of the ads when they are in context.
It's nice to know that the blog is being read - I hadn't thought of the perception that this post could generate and I certainly wouldn't want to fuel any conspiracies.
Thanks for your comment, Ryan
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteSorry if I got your 'knickers in a knot'.
Your 'Got Pardon?' article (with the red Pardons Canada logo(with appropriate maple leaf) as a heading combined with the cheesy posting from Andrew Tanenbaum of Pardons Canada wanting to know your co-ordinates (must be Toronto speak) were a bit much.
For you to suggest 'I didn't in anyway (sic) endorse Pardons Canada' was a bit disingenuous.
I have always felt your blog served a significant purpose for the thousands of Canadians caught up in the overwhelming world of Homeland Security. I have also felt that the blog took the position that most applications were not as daunting as they appeared at first blush.
Your promotion of Pardons Canada in priority to other providers of similar services or without stating that it is only a paper pushing exercise that most people could do for themselves reduced your blogs stature, from my perspective.
Hello Anonymous, thanks for your follow up. You certainly didn't get any 'knickers in a knot'.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the clarity you brought to this conversation and agree that the 'Got Pardon' post gave the perception of the stated service 'in priority to other providers of similar services' just as you described. Going forward, I will attempt (where appropriate) to be more balanced.
I started this blog with the purpose of keeping a personal record of my waiver process so that 1 year, or 5 years on I would have this history to draw on at the time of renewal. The fact that it helps others, is merely a bonus.
The blog was never intended to sway readers away from seeking professional advice.
In my mind, it is akin to the 4 types of home repairs:
1. the kind that you can do yourself.
2. the kind that you're probably best to hire a professional.
3. the kind that you could do yourself (if you had the time), but right now, it makes more sense to pass it off to a professional.
4. you never do home repairs, period.
Although I agree for the majority for us, the waiver process is a paper pushing exercise, I can't assume that is the case for everyone. I've often said to my wife: 'The only difference between you and I is that you require 1 document to enter the USA where as I require 2.'
I certainly hope that if readers take away anything, it will be the understanding of which type of home repair they are looking at.
I am always amazed when I go to renew my waiver at Pearson at the amount of people that get completly screwed over by Pardons Canada for something you can do yourself.I used them for my first waiver and it only took 2 years to get.....they sent back my paperwork and said I had to go to the airport myself. I went myself and have never looked back and continue do so with no problems.I also applied for a Canadian Pardon which they nearly blew for me as a matter of fact I was denied but all I did was send a letter to the board and I now have a full pardon.
ReplyDeleteIf you are completly brain dead by all means have Pardons Canada rape you otherwise do it yourself
Hey I am reading your blog to get direction for my waiver app. I have just done my Pardon on my own it was very easy and straight forward. If you havent paid Pardons Canada yet dont. Get the forms online and go, it took me 11 months from the day I got the blank forms to the day I got my Pardon. I did have to send mail to Prince Albert, Vancouver, Richmond, and Surrey as I had been going to school and moved a few times. I also included a letter about my offences where I was then and where I am now in life, guess it worked.
ReplyDeleteBottom line you did the hard one first the pardon is the easy one, IMHO.
JJ
"Ryan, Nice Blog.
ReplyDeleteI want to make sure you are being looked after as quick as possible.
Please email me directly your coordinates.
Andrew Tanenbaum
Program Director, Pardons Canada"
Good to see you will have a unbiased opinion to write about.
It would have been interesting to see how it would have turned out for PC but now that they are going to fast track you . . . it wont be very factual on their performance.
That is unless they still suck after making a extra effort.
Read this after my prev post.
JJ
JJ - thanks for your comment. I am currently in process with PC. I will post updates on this progress soon.
ReplyDeleteAs yet, I can't advocate using a pardon service over the do it yourself route, but hearing a lot of feedback that this is a pretty simple process that I could/should have filed myself. Live and learn!
food for thought perhaps it is not so easy for everyone.
ReplyDeletePardon Me?
There are many different reasons to use Canadian Pardon Services, and one of them is the amount of time and energy required to handle the massive amount of paper work.
Your Criminal Record must be obtained containing all of your convictions. If there is a discrepancy and your criminal record does not contain all of your convictions, you must request a Proof of Conviction form for each subsequent conviction and your finger prints need to be taken by your local police station.
Court Information Forms must be filled out (including the official seal/stamp) by the court/courts that you were convicted in. Proof that all sentencing has been carried out, and all fines have been paid is also required in the pardon application process.
Documents issued by the government which verify your identity containing your name, date of birth and signature must also be sent in with your pardon application forms.
Valid Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Documents may also be required. Depending on your immigrations status, this step may prove to be very difficult especially if your immigration status is dependent on your pardon application.
Local Police Record Checks are required to obtain your pardon. A record check for each city/town/country that you have lived in for the past 5 years has to be provided. Now it's time to fill out the Pardon Application Form. Here’s the catch though: the Criminal Record Checks and the Pardon Application Form are only valid for 6 months after they have been issued.
If you have been convicted of a sexual offence, a written letter stating your status as a model citizen and how a pardon would positively affect your lifestyle and integration into the community must be included with your pardon application.
Time management and extensive knowledge of the pardon process becomes very important. If there are any mistakes in your application form, or if there is any missing information, your application will be denied and your forms sent back you. Have it done the correct way the first time and avoid the aggravation.
It says a lot about the integrity of Pardons Canada when a supportive poster, presumably one with a vested interest in the organization, identifies themself as 'Anonymous'.
ReplyDeleteIf I were seeking a Pardon and did not feel comfortable doing it myself, I would look to one of the other multitude of companies offering such services!
As an owner of another "pardon service" I am always interested in the competition. How is your pardon coming, what step is it at and were there extra fees added on the listed price?
ReplyDeleteI was searching for waiver information in light my my recent incident with US Customs and came across your site.
ReplyDeleteI saw this post with the Pardons Canada logo I was compelled to read it and the first post if from the Program Director saying he'll look at your case and make is as quick as possible.
Leaves a bad taste in my mouth as I paid to have my Pardon expedited and its been over 2 years and minimal lack of contact from my multiple requests by phone and email for a status update. All I got in the mail is a copy of my criminal record check that I could have applied for myself and not paid the money to have Pardons Canada to do it on my behalf.
I do wonder how many people life myself have just been left hanging and if Pardons Canada isn't much more of a polished scam to take advantage of us who are looking for some hope that an agency will help us out.
Thank you for explaining about the pardon. Most of the people Struggle to differentiate between pardon and Sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great thing to say you do it all on your own I agree but, in this case Pardon Canada has my business hands down 3rd waiver form went through them seemless everytime might cost a bit more but well worth it GREAT JOB GUYS. Can't wait till a pardon is recongnized and we no longer need the waiver the US is on a huge money grab on this one. I mean really some people do one thing never before bad and never after have a run in with the law and what we pay for life??
ReplyDeleteI received a pardon (not a waiver) and have since then been travelling into the US by land,air & sea no problem close to a dozen times, until about a week ago. I was denied boarding on a cruise ship, but not in person, I was given a phone call the day prior to be informed of this. I was not given a reason for me being denied, no matter how many agencies/depts I contacted. I have not attempted to cross into the US since this has happened last week, and would prefer to continue travelling to the US without having to get a waiver, yet am leary about directly questioning the USCBP directly face to face about this in fear i'll be asked if I have/had a criminal record or pardon and somehow get caught in a lie. This ALL centers around the million dollar question: I was to understand once you have a pardon, CPIC is wiped clean, or basically the USCBP/Dept. of Homeland Security cannot see your record, or pardon, SO why/how did this happen then??? Are you absolutely sure the US govt cannot see your record (or pardon) once you have a pardon??? I did have an arrest, but not a conviction, IN the US over 12 yrs ago, but was wrongly arrested and detained and was let go, yet I was finger printed/arrested etc. However again i've been into the US with no issues AFTER this, being it was over 12 yrs ago, i've only been going into the US for about a yr since getting my pardon and was never denied entry in the US prior to last week. WHAT SHOULD I DO? I'd like to assume they don't know about my record so i don't have to get a waiver if I don't have to, but now i'm not sure if I do have to get one regardless.
ReplyDeleteJust to keep things in perspective, I have been in the process of getting my pardon through this organization for over 2 years.
ReplyDeleteThe first year of this process was filled with repeated letters from PC requesting more information and more forms to fill. This did not seem to unusual, as I am aware that the process can take some time.
This past year has been nothing but waiting. My last message from them stated that the final process can take some time... I believe they said to wait 8-10 months before I should expect an update. This had me a little suspicious, but I decided to wait it out.
It has now been over a year since I have heard anythng from them, and they have not yet replied to any of my email requests for a status update that I sent to them 2-3 weeks ago.
I wish their program director would spend less time on blogs, stating "...as quickly as possible.", and more time ensuring things are actually being done as quickly as possible.
I feel this may have been the biggest waste of time and money I have ever been a part of.
I would suggest that anyone in need of a pardon, just skip the extra costs and do it themselves. Even if you do it wrong the first time and have to start over, it may still be faster and cheaper.
Pardons Canada is not a satisfactory service. I recomend seeking a lawyer or a smaller organziation to look after you. They give not always accurate advice and its hard to get a hold of an agent. Plus they charge an arm and a leg for mailing forms. I say do it yourself
ReplyDeletePardons Canada is an absolute scam. I paid an exhuberant amount of money to have my case expedited almost 2 years ago. It has been with the national parole board for 16 months and still i have no answer. I was told by Mr. Tannenbaum himself that it would only be 3 months. This is distressing to someone, who yes committed a crime DID THEIR TIME, and is a contributing member of society. I want to get on with my life. Their staff have very bad customer service I found dealing with them emotionally distressing. I went to them in the first place because I didn't want the stress of dealing with the details of reliving my past. Find a more reputable group to deal with. Pardons Canada, these people don't even have a good reputation with the national parole board. As soon as you mention their name you get " oh, I'm so sorry. You know we get that a lot"
ReplyDeleteI committed an offence when I was 18 (1996), I received a pardon in 2008, did the whole process by myself and didn't find any issues or requests for more info, but I don't remember how long it took to get it. However, for the first time ever I would like to take my kids on a trip possible to Disney, I spoke to US border services (not giving my name or any personal info) and they told me I would never be allowed in the US without a waiver. I was under the impression that once I got a pardon my record was wiped clean she said nope!! When I got home I looked up the waivers... it's $585.00us!!! I've never been outside of Canada so I would never have crossed the border while I had a criminal record there seems to be mixed info every where I look! Some places say if you've never crossed with a criminal record they won't see it, others say they can. Some people seem to be able to go all the time and never have an issue and have never had a pardon. I"m soooo confused!! I want to do the right thing but that's a lot of money just to go there once.
ReplyDeleteAny advice???
If the anonymous poster 'I committed an offence when I was 18' has never been denied entry to the US because of the criminal record there should be no problem entering without an Entry Waiver.
ReplyDeleteUS Customs & Border Protection accesses the Canadian Police Information Computer (CPIC) to confirm the existence of a criminal record. Once one obtains a pardon reference to their record is removed from CPIC.
If you really want to feel secure before committing to a trip & don't live too far from the border, try to enter alone. The worst thing that can happen is that you would be refused entry but, based on what you say, I can't see how that could happen.
To prove to oneself that a pardon has removed your record from CPIC, go to your local police, pay them the $25 or whatever they want for a 'criminal record check'.
ReplyDeleteThat's easier & more certain than the comfort of a successful border crossing.
Didn't think of it yesterday!!
PARDONS CANADA IS A COMPLETE SCAM
ReplyDeletePARDONS CANADA IS A COMPLETE SCAM
ReplyDeleteif your new 2 sign up they will answer your call if u have a oustanding file you cant get any1 on the phone. YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF THEY DONT DO ANYTHING 4 YOU YOU DO IT YOURSELF ANYWAY AND PAY THEM 4 DOING NOTHING
ReplyDeleteANDREW TENENBAUM SHOULD BE IN JAIL 4 FRAUD HE IS A LIAR AND SHIESTER PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THESE SCAMMERS ANY MONEY BECAUSE YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK
ReplyDeleteyou will never find any satified customers because its a scam and they are not afiliated with the government of Canada.Icant beleive this scam is still going
ReplyDeleteWELCOME TO FRAUD 101
ReplyDeleteI signed up with Pardons Canada 5 years ago and still have not recieved my pardon for an assult charge over 20 years ago. I won't go into details of how they screwed me out of $500 dollars, but one thing I do know is that they are violating the privacy act by not telling you upfront that they are acting as a third party acting on your behalf and that this is open for anyone to do this on their own. I plan on taking legal action against them for my money back and also for three years of lost wages, since I could not find work in my profession without a pardon and a security licence. But before I do that I am going to go to my local MPP in my home riding and file a complaint against them for my current siduation, with hopes that he will take it to Mr. Speaker in Ottawa to investigate these organizations that do not deliver on their promise and are in fact keeping hard working people from finding employment that overall stresses the financial coffers of the unemployment system. The word unemployment in ottawa is the kiss of death and if they can see that they are in fact creating hardship for the economy, lookout! If that does not work, I plan on getting Mayor Ford involved and even the Premiere of Ontario, to take it to Ottawa, if that is what it takes. It is time to shut these fraudulant criminals down and you have just met the blogger that intends to do it, you can mark my words. Instead of complaining about how you got ripped off, you should follow my lead and band together to crucify them by taking this to the top and we will see how long they are in business. If one peep leeks out about this scam in Ottawa, trust me, they will be gone.
HERE IS THE E-MAIL TO MY MPP TO GET THE BALL ROLLING. OTTAWA FIRST AND THE MEDIA SECOND
ReplyDeleteDear MPP Scarborough Southwest
I would like to bring to your attention that many people lives are being effected by the business practices of these so called Federal Non-Profit Pardons Organizations, namely Pardons Canada in my case that did not make good on their promise to me and many others, I am to understand. To my mind they are in violation of the Privacy Act and they have violated my right to privacy by not informing me before hand that they have no direct affiliation with the Government or the Pardons Board for that matter or that you are volunteering personal information to a third party to assist you in an action you can clearly do yourself without their help. Instead, they try to appear as an arm of the Government and they gave me two options when I had my interview. For $500.00, they would clear my criminal record in two years or for $650, they could clear my record in one year and they wanted full payment up front. Does this sound like their are any hidden fees to you? It sounded like a done deal to me and to many others who blog about them, labelling them as nothing but a fraud and a scam, so I take it I am not alone. After they got my credit card payment of $500.00, being all I could afford, I received a phone call a few weeks later, to go and get my electronic finger prints and head shot done for $75.00 to send to the RCMP for my record check. Already I was upset with the fact they did not tell me about this hidden cost upfront, since I had little funds to cover it except to also put it on my already stressed out credit card. Pardons Canada rudely told me I should have read the fine print on my contract and that I had to pay for it. It gets even better when they lost my prints and head shot one year later and told me I had to go and get them done again at my expense, so their went another $75.00. At the two year mark and a year later I got a letter saying I would be pardoned. Next they informed me that I had to go to the OPP office when I lived in Wasaga Beach and get a police report at my own expense and I informed them that I did not have the funds and felt they should be paying for this out of the non profit $500.00 they lead me to believe I was paying fore in the first place. Now being another $650.00 in debt, I refused to pay anymore, so we played the waiting game to see who would fold first, We are now close to year four and they send me another letter asking for my OPP record to close my file and so I gave in when they said this was my final cost. Even though it was only $25.00 that is besides the point and more about the principle. In the meantime I had moved to Penatanguishene, so I went to the OPP as instructed and I explained my situation to the officer on duty that said she hates to see people being taken for a ride, being also convinced it’s a scam, explained that I could have done this all myself on the internet at the same costs that I had incurred over there fee, in less than a year. CONTINUED.
CONTINUED... At this point I was furious and I let Pardons Canada know in no uncertain terms that they had mislead me right from the beginning. Next I get a call from them asking for the Pardons Board fee, claiming that would be another $150.00, so I asked to speak to the manager and threatened to sue for my money back that they say they guarantee and with that money I would further sue them for three years of lost wages and the fact they violated my right to privacy by not disclosing their third party involvement. He gave in when I brought up the Privacy Act part and only then did the manager informed me that he would see what he could do and I have herd nothing more from him since thinking it was before the board and that was a year ago, So here I am, five years later still waiting and I am out $675.00, with no pardon for a miner criminal offence that happened twenty one years ago. The reason I needed my criminal record removed was to be licenced in my line of work as a security guard. For another $600.00 on my credit card, I took the approved security guard ministry course and passed, but told them I did not want to right my ministry exam before my record was removed, since they want to know what the offence was, which defeats the purpose of having your record removed, if it is still on the ministry file forever, by divulging my criminal record during the pardons process. I wrote them today asking about my pardon and if my file is still active but have not herd back yet. They have changed their website that will not let you get a hold of anyone personally like they did before and they have gone to a fully automated system now. I can see why with all of the people out there that feel they have been scammed, going so far as to call it out and out fraud and I totally agree. Even their name is misleading to my mind and also to my mind this is a crime and I think it should be herd in Ottawa, with a full investigation of their business practices, to date, to see just how many pardons they have actually had granted in the time frame they promised or even at all. I believe most just dry up and go away when they realize they have been taken and they will never see their money again and that is not fair. In five years I have yet to meet anyone that ever got their pardon and the countless blogs continue to prove it. I think it is high time to put an end to this unfair business practice that ruins others lives in the process that has personally left me bankrupt. They should be stopped from further hurting the lively hood of others, with their deceptive lies, hidden fees and false promises.
ReplyDeleteWhat say By you to my comments Andrew. Remember me?
ReplyDeleteOne more good tip besides writing your local MPP is visiting http://www.ripoffreport.com/FileReport.aspx. There you can let consumers know what is what and they even leave it open for lawyers, media, as well as Government Agencies to contact you You can view my report under Unusual Business Practices. Sorry will be the day Pardons Canada played with me. Watch and see, I have just got started...
ReplyDeleteCORRECTION Retraction of category. Look under Questionable Activities, titled, Pardons Canada FRAUDULANT PROMISES AND A SCAM AS THEY VIOLATE THE PRIVACY ACT OF THE CRIMINAL CODE
ReplyDeleteOk, for those of you who really do want some help, and are now wondering about whether you can even find it, here's a list of options provided for you the BBB.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbb.org/canada/find-business-reviews/name/pardons+canada/toronto-ON/
Good luck.