Government of Canada - Parole Board of Canada

Helps individuals who have completed their sentence for simple possession of cannabis to have their criminal record set apart from other records in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). A record suspension removes the criminal record from the CPIC database, meaning that a search of CPIC will not show that the individual has a criminal record or a record suspension.

The Criminal Records Act (CRA) applies only to records kept by federal organizations, but most provincial and municipal criminal justice agencies also restrict access to their records once they are told that a record suspension has been ordered.

Note: Individuals can apply even if they have unpaid fines or victim surcharges. Lawyer or third party service provider is not required to apply.

Helps individuals who were convicted of a criminal offense, but have completed their sentence and demonstrated that they are law-abiding citizens for a prescribed number of years, to have their criminal record kept separate and apart from other criminal records. A record suspension removes the criminal record from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, meaning that a search of CPIC will not show that the individual has a criminal record or a record suspension.

The Criminal Records Act (CRA) applies only to records maintained by federal organizations. However, most provincial and municipal criminal justice agencies also restrict access to their records once they are notified that a record suspension has been granted.

Note: Individuals can apply directly to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) for a record suspension. A lawyer or third-party service provider is not required to apply.