A summary conviction for “causing a disturbance” requires a 5-year waiting period before you can apply for a federal Record Suspension. Successfully clearing this minor public order offence with the Parole Board of Canada costs exactly $50 CAD in government fees and ensures standard employer background checks come back completely clean.
We all make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes happen very publicly. Getting involved in a noisy bar fight in Montreal, participating in an overly aggressive protest in Ottawa, or causing a drunken scene in downtown Calgary can quickly lead to a charge of “causing a disturbance” under Section 175 of the Criminal Code. While this is generally considered a minor public order offence, the legal consequences are incredibly frustrating.
Because it is almost always prosecuted as a summary conviction, many Canadians underestimate the damage it can cause. 📍 Even a minor summary conviction will show up on a standard CPIC background check, causing you to fail pre-employment screenings, volunteer checks, and apartment rental applications. Fortunately, the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) offers a straightforward process to seal this record permanently. In this guide, we will walk you through the precise timeline and steps required to pardon a summary conviction and get your life back to normal.
Step-by-Step Process for Sealing a Summary Conviction
Because causing a disturbance is a less severe offence, the bureaucratic process is slightly more streamlined than it is for indictable crimes. Whether you were convicted in Edmonton or Halifax, the federal procedure remains exactly the same.
Step 1: Satisfying All Court Orders
The 5-year waiting period does not begin on the day you were arrested, nor on the day you went to court. 📝 The clock only starts ticking the moment your entire sentence is completed. If the judge ordered you to pay a $500 fine and complete 12 months of probation, your 5-year waiting period begins on the final day of your probation or the day your fine is fully paidāwhichever comes last.
Step 2: Submitting RCMP Fingerprints
Fast forward 5 years. Your first step is to generate an official copy of your criminal record. You must visit an accredited fingerprinting agency in your local area. They will scan your fingerprints and send them electronically to the RCMP. The RCMP will then mail you your official criminal record, which acts as the core document of your PBC application.
Step 3: Completing the Court Information Form
You must prove to the PBC that you actually paid your fines and completed your sentence. Take the “Court Information Form” to the provincial courthouse where your trial took place. A court clerk will review their internal archives, fill out the form, stamp it with the official court seal, and return it to you.
Step 4: Securing Local Police Records Checks
The federal government needs to ensure you have stayed out of trouble in your local community. 🚨 You must bring the “Local Police Records Check Form” to the police department in every city you have lived in over the past 5 years. They will verify that you have not been involved in any recent brawls, noise complaints, or ongoing criminal investigations.
Step 5: Mailing the Record Suspension Package
Unlike serious indictable offences, a summary conviction for causing a disturbance generally does not require a complex “Measurable Benefit” essay. You simply need to compile the application forms, your identification, the court documents, the police checks, and the RCMP file, and mail them to the Parole Board of Canada with your processing fee.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Clearing a summary conviction is highly affordable, especially since the federal government reduced the core processing fee. As of May 2026, here are the standard costs you will incur while gathering your documents.
| Application Expense | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| PBC Application Processing Fee | $50.00 |
| RCMP Fingerprinting Agency Fee | $50.00 to $85.00 |
| Local Police Station Verification | $30.00 to $75.00 (varies by city) |
| Courthouse Document Fee | $15.00 to $50.00 |
| Pardon Agency / Law Firm Review | $800.00 to $1,500.00 (Optional) |
- Cost Savings: Because the paperwork is less demanding than an indictable offence, many Canadians choose to process this application themselves without paying a law firm, saving hundreds of dollars.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for a summary conviction Record Suspension is highly predictable. After your mandatory 5-year waiting period is over, gathering your documents will take about 3 to 4 months. Once you mail the completed package to Ottawa, the PBC has a strict service standard to process summary conviction files within 6 months. If your file is incomplete, they will return it, restarting the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between this and an absolute discharge?
If the judge gave you an absolute discharge for causing a disturbance, you were found guilty but not technically “convicted.” An absolute discharge automatically purges from your RCMP record after 1 year, meaning you do not need to apply or pay for a Record Suspension at all.
Will this show up on a Vulnerable Sector Check?
No. A Vulnerable Sector Check is designed to reveal pardoned sex offences or crimes severely harming minors and vulnerable persons. Causing a disturbance is a public order offence, so once pardoned, it will remain completely hidden even during a Vulnerable Sector Check.
Do I need a lawyer to seal a summary conviction?
It is not legally required. The PBC application is designed to be accessible to the general public. However, if you are confused by the forms, have moved frequently, or have a complex court history, hiring a lawyer ensures the file is submitted perfectly the first time.
Can I travel outside of Canada while waiting?
While waiting for your Record Suspension, your criminal record is still active. Travelling to countries that conduct strict background checks, particularly the United States, might result in you being denied entry at the border until the proper waivers or pardons are in place.
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