If you have multiple criminal convictions in Canada, the waiting period for a Record Suspension (pardon) only begins after you have completed your entire sentence for all offences. Concurrent sentences run at the same time, while consecutive sentences are added together, significantly pushing back the date your wait time clock starts. Note that while standard waiting periods are 5 or 10 years, shorter wait times apply to older offences committed before March 2012. The federal application fee is currently $50 CAD.
Getting your criminal record cleared through a Record Suspension gives you a much-needed fresh start. 📋 Whether you live in Vancouver, Toronto, or Halifax, navigating the federal rules of the Criminal Records Act can be confusing. One of the biggest challenges for applicants is figuring out exactly when their official waiting period begins, especially if they were sentenced for multiple offences on the exact same day.
The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) has strict rules regarding wait times. Before you can begin counting your waiting period (which is standardly 5 or 10 years, though shorter wait times apply to older offences), you must finish every part of your sentence. This includes paying all fines, finishing probation, and completing any jail time. If a judge handed you multiple sentences, understanding whether they are concurrent or consecutive is vital to calculating your eligibility date. In this guide, we will explain the step-by-step process of figuring out your timeline.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Because the Parole Board of Canada is a federal agency, the rules for calculating wait times apply equally across the entire country. 🔍 Whether your convictions occurred in the Alberta Court of King’s Bench or a local Ontario courthouse, the calculation method remains identical.
Step 1: Understand the Difference Between Sentences
The first step is understanding how your jail time or probation was structured by the judge. A concurrent sentence means you serve multiple sentences at the same time. For example, if you receive two 6-month sentences to be served concurrently, you are only in jail for 6 months total. A consecutive sentence means they run one after the other. If you receive two 6-month sentences consecutively, you must serve 12 months in total. Your wait time cannot begin until the final day of the longest or combined sentence is complete.
Step 2: Obtain Your Criminal Record and Court Dispositions
You cannot guess your dates; you need official proof. 📄 You must obtain your certified criminal record from the RCMP by submitting your fingerprints. Once you have it, you need to contact the specific courthouses where you were sentenced to request your official court documents (Dispositions). These documents will explicitly state if your sentences were concurrent or consecutive, and note the exact date you were sentenced.
Step 3: Determine Your Last Date of Sentence Completion
The golden rule for a Canadian Record Suspension is that the waiting period starts on the day you finish the very last part of your sentence. 📅 If you had concurrent sentences, this is the end date of the longest sentence. If you had consecutive sentences, it is the date the combined total time ends. You must also ensure that every single fine, victim surcharge, and restitution order has been paid in full. If you finished your jail time in 2020 but paid your fine in 2026, your wait time clock starts in 2026.
Step 4: Identify the Offence Categories
Next, you must look at how the Crown proceeded with your charges and when they occurred. In Canada, offences are broadly classified as either a summary conviction (less serious) or an indictable offence (more serious). For offences committed on or after March 13, 2012, the waiting period is 5 years for summary convictions and 10 years for indictable offences. However, due to landmark Federal Court rulings (such as P.H. v. Canada and Chu v. Canada), these waiting periods cannot be applied retroactively. If your first offence was committed before June 29, 2010, the wait is only 3 years for summary convictions and 5 years for indictable offences. If it occurred between June 29, 2010, and March 12, 2012, the wait is 3 years for summary convictions and 5 years for most indictable offences (except serious personal injury offences, which require 10 years).
Step 5: Apply to the Parole Board of Canada
Once you have accurately calculated your wait time and the required waiting period has passed, you can officially apply. 📝 You will compile your RCMP record, court documents, local police records checks, and the Record Suspension Application Form. Mail the complete package to the PBC in Ottawa along with the government processing fee.
Concurrent vs Consecutive Sentences
| Type of Sentence | How Time is Served | Impact on Pardon Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent | Served at the exact same time. | Shorter overall sentence means the wait time clock starts sooner. |
| Consecutive | Served back-to-back. | Longer overall sentence delays the start of your 5 or 10-year waiting period. |
| Fines & Surcharges | Paid separately from jail/probation. | The clock does not start until the absolute final payment is made to the court. |
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Applying for a Record Suspension involves multiple small fees to gather documents before paying the federal application fee. 💵 Here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay in CAD as of 2026:
- RCMP Fingerprinting: Local agencies usually charge between $50 to $85 CAD.
- Court Documents: Courthouses typically charge a small fee of $10 to $20 CAD per document.
- Local Police Checks: Your local police station will charge roughly $30 to $65 CAD to run a local records check.
- PBC Application Fee: The federal government fee to process a Record Suspension is currently $50 CAD.
- Lawyer or Agency Fees: If you hire a legal professional to handle the complex paperwork, expect to pay between $800 to $2,000 CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is required when dealing with federal applications. Gathering all your court documents and police checks usually takes about 3 to 6 months. Once you mail your complete application to the Parole Board of Canada, they have official service standards. For summary convictions, it takes up to 6 months to process. For indictable offences, it can take up to 12 months for the Board to reach a final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I cannot remember if my sentence was concurrent or consecutive?
You must request your official Court Dispositions from the specific courthouse where you were sentenced. These documents are the only official record the Parole Board will accept, and they outline exactly how the judge structured your sentence.
Does a driving prohibition delay my wait time?
No. Under the Criminal Records Act, a driving prohibition is not considered part of the sentence for the purpose of calculating your Record Suspension wait time. Your clock can start even if you are still banned from driving.
Can I apply early if I show good behaviour?
No. The statutory waiting periods (whether the standard 5 or 10 years, or the shorter 3 or 5 years for older offences) are strictly defined by federal law. The Parole Board of Canada has absolutely no legal authority to waive or reduce these wait times based on good character alone.
What happens if I get a new conviction while waiting?
If you receive a new criminal conviction before your waiting period is over, your clock resets entirely. You must complete the sentence for the new offence and then wait the required statutory period (which depends on when the first offence was committed) before you can apply to clear your entire record.
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