Record Suspension and Clemency

Important Notice to Record Suspension Applicants: User Fee Increase

The user fee for the processing of a record suspension (formerly a pardon) application has increased to $631 as of February 23, 2012.

Applications received or post-marked on or before February 22, 2012 will be accepted under the former $150 application fee as long as they are deemed to be eligible and complete by the PBC at the time of receipt.

Ineligible and incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant along with their $150 application fee. These applications will become subject to the new fee as of February 23, 2012.

The increase to the user fee follows through on the Government's plan to implement a new fee system that requires users to assume the cost of processing a record suspension application.

The new fee will provide the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) with the additional capacity to manage its workloads, and to address operational requirements as a result of changes to the Criminal Records Act (CRA). It will ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the Record Suspensions program, and that the Parole Board can continue to meet its important public safety mandate.

For more information, or assistance with their application, record suspension applicants may contact:

• Mail:
  Parole Board of Canada
  Attention: Record Suspension Division
  410 Laurier Avenue West
  Ottawa, Ontario
  K1A 0R1
• PBC information line:
  1-800-874-2652 (toll-free)
• Record Suspension enquiries email:
  suspension@pbc-clcc.gc.ca