Criminal Records & Pardons in Ontario: Your Complete Guide
A criminal record can affect employment, housing, travel, and immigration status. Understanding what's on your record — and how to clear it — is the first step to moving forward.
What Appears on a Criminal Record?
A criminal record includes convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada and other federal statutes (e.g., the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act). Provincial offences (traffic tickets, POA matters) are generally not part of your criminal record, though they can appear on driving abstracts.
| Outcome | Appears on Criminal Record? |
|---|---|
| Absolute discharge | Yes — for 1 year after discharge |
| Conditional discharge | Yes — for 3 years after discharge |
| Conviction (summary) | Yes — permanently (until pardon) |
| Conviction (indictable) | Yes — permanently (until pardon) |
| Stayed / acquitted / withdrawn | No criminal record entry |
How a Criminal Record Affects You
- Employment — Many employers conduct CPIC background checks. Convictions can disqualify applicants for government, healthcare, education, and financial roles.
- Travel to the USA — U.S. Customs can deny entry to anyone with a criminal record. A Canadian pardon does not automatically grant U.S. entry.
- Immigration — Convictions can make you inadmissible to Canada or affect sponsorship applications.
- Housing — Landlords increasingly conduct background checks during tenant screening.
- Professional licensing — Law societies, medical colleges, and other regulatory bodies may deny licensing based on criminal history.
Record Suspension (Pardon) — Eligibility
A Record Suspension (formerly called a pardon) seals your criminal record from CPIC searches. It is granted by the Parole Board of Canada.
| Offence Type | Waiting Period After Sentence Completed |
|---|---|
| Summary conviction | 5 years |
| Indictable (non-serious) | 10 years |
| Schedule 1 sexual offences involving minors | Not eligible |
| 3+ indictable convictions each with 2+ years imprisonment | Not eligible |
The Record Suspension Process
- Obtain a certified criminal record from the RCMP (Form C-216C).
- Gather court documents for each conviction (from each courthouse where you were convicted).
- Obtain a local police records check (CPIC check) from your local police service.
- Complete Parole Board of Canada application package.
- Submit to the Parole Board with the $50 fee (waived for those who received a discharge).
- Processing time: typically 12–18 months for summary; 24–36 months for indictable.
Youth Records
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, youth records are subject to special access rules and are automatically sealed after a set period depending on the offence. They are generally not accessible to the public and do not follow a youth into adulthood — unless the youth is convicted as an adult.
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