As of January 1, 2022, the Parole Board of Canada officially lowered the Record Suspension application fee from $657.77 down to $50 CAD. While advocacy groups continue to push for an entirely free, automatic system, the federal government currently has no immediate legislative plans to lower the $50 base fee any further.
For many years, the cost of clearing a criminal record in Canada was a massive barrier for marginalized individuals. Between 2012 and 2021, the application fee skyrocketed to an unbearable $657.77. For someone struggling to find employment due to an old summary conviction, saving nearly seven hundred dollars just for the government filing fee was near impossible.
Thankfully, recognizing that the high cost was preventing successful reintegration into society, the federal government slashed the fee to just $50 CAD. Whether you live in Edmonton, Winnipeg, or St. John’s, this fee reduction applies universally across the country. 📍 However, many applicants wonder if the fee will eventually drop to zero, and they are often surprised to learn that the $50 base fee is only one part of the total financial equation. This guide breaks down the true costs of a pardon today and what to expect in the future.
Step-by-Step Process: Budgeting for a Pardon in Canada
While the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) only charges $50, you must collect various documents from other federal and provincial agencies before you can submit your application. Each of these agencies charges their own processing fees. Here is how the costs add up step-by-step.
Step 1: Getting Your RCMP Fingerprints
The very first step in the Record Suspension process is obtaining a certified criminal record check from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). You must visit an accredited fingerprinting agency or your local police station. The RCMP charges a mandatory federal fee of $25, and the private agency taking your digital prints will usually charge an additional service fee of $25 to $60. 🙆
Step 2: Paying for Court Documents
Next, you must prove to the PBC that you have paid all your fines, restitution, and completed your sentences. You must request a “Court Information Form” from every single provincial courthouse where you were convicted. For example, if you were convicted in both Surrey and Mississauga, you must contact both courts. Courts generally charge between $20 and $100 to pull your old archived files.
Step 3: Covering Local Police Record Checks
You are also required to get a Local Police Records Check from the municipal police force in every city you have lived in for the past 5 years. If you moved from Victoria to Calgary, you need checks from both police departments. These local departments typically charge between $50 and $100 per background check.
Step 4: Paying the Base Parole Board Fee
Once all your fingerprints, court forms, and local police checks are compiled into a massive package, you finally submit it to the Parole Board of Canada. This is where you pay the official $50 CAD application fee via certified cheque, money order, or credit card. As you can see, the $50 fee is just the tip of the iceberg.
How Much Does a Record Suspension Really Cost Today?
Even with the government’s historic fee reduction, applicants must budget carefully for the hidden administrative costs of gathering evidence.
| Required Document / Step | Average Cost in Canada (CAD) |
|---|---|
| RCMP Fingerprints (Federal + Agency Fee) | $50.00 – $85.00 |
| Provincial Court Documents | $20.00 – $100.00 (per court) |
| Local Police Records Checks | $50.00 – $100.00 (per city lived in) |
| Parole Board Application Fee | $50.00 |
| Estimated Total DIY Cost | $170.00 to $335.00 |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Gathering all your required documents from various police stations and courthouses generally takes 3 to 6 months, depending on how old your convictions are and how fast the local courts operate. Once submitted, the Parole Board of Canada will process minor summary convictions within 6 months and major indictable offences within 12 months. ⏳
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the $50 pardon fee be waived if I am low income?
No. The Parole Board of Canada does not currently offer fee waivers or low-income subsidies. The $50 fee is a flat rate required for every single application, regardless of your employment status or financial hardship.
Why did the pardon fee drop so significantly?
Public safety advocates argued that charging $657.77 was unconstitutional and counterproductive. By making pardons unaffordable, the government was keeping rehabilitated individuals locked out of the workforce. The reduction to $50 was implemented to prioritize successful community reintegration.
Is the government planning to make pardons automatic?
There have been multiple Senate bills (such as Bill S-207) proposing an automatic sequestering system where records expire automatically for free after a certain number of years. However, as of now, these proposals have not passed into law, and the manual $50 application process remains mandatory.
Do I get my $50 back if my application is denied?
No. The $50 fee covers the administrative processing and review of your file by the Parole Board of Canada. It is entirely non-refundable, even if your Record Suspension is officially proposed for denial.
Do I need to pay a lawyer thousands of dollars to apply?
No, you do not have to hire a lawyer. The application forms are publicly available. However, because making a single mistake on the forms can result in your application being returned, many Canadians still choose to pay a law firm to handle the complex bureaucratic legwork.
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