To get a criminal record suspension (pardon) in Manitoba, you must apply to the Parole Board of Canada after completing your sentence and waiting the required period (5 years for summary convictions, 10 years for indictable offences). The federal application fee is currently $50 CAD.
A past mistake should not be a lifelong barrier to your success. Whether you are trying to secure a new job in Winnipeg, volunteer at your child’s school, or rent a better apartment, having a criminal record can hold you back. In Canada, what used to be widely known as a pardon is now officially called a criminal record suspension. It is a legal mechanism that sets your record aside, hiding it from standard background checks.
It is important to know that the province of Manitoba does not grant pardons. 🕊 Record suspensions are exclusively handled at the federal level by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). The process is heavily administrative and requires extreme attention to detail. This guide provides a straightforward overview of how Manitobans can clear their names and move forward with their lives.
Step-by-Step Process in Manitoba
Whether your conviction occurred in Thompson, Brandon, or the Winnipeg Law Courts, the steps to apply for a record suspension remain the same. Many applicants choose to work with a reputable law firm to ensure no paperwork is rejected by Ottawa.
Step 1: Wait for Your Eligibility Period
You cannot apply for a record suspension immediately. ⏰ First, you must complete all aspects of your sentence, including paying all fines, serving any jail time, and completing probation. After your sentence is fully served, you must wait 5 years for a summary conviction or 10 years for an indictable offence before you are legally eligible to apply.
Step 2: Get Your Official RCMP Fingerprints
Your application begins with acquiring your certified criminal record. You must visit an accredited fingerprinting service in Winnipeg or a local RCMP detachment. They will take your fingerprints digitally and send them to the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa to generate your official criminal record, which forms the basis of your application.
Step 3: Gather Court and Police Information
Once you receive your RCMP record, you must gather supporting documents from Manitoba’s justice system. 🗂 You will need to request official Court Information forms from the specific Manitoba Provincial Court or Court of King’s Bench where you were sentenced. Additionally, you must request a Local Police Records Check from the Winnipeg Police Service (or the local police in any city you have lived in for the past five years).
Step 4: Submit to the Parole Board of Canada
The final step is compiling all your documents, completing the official Record Suspension Application Form, and submitting it to the Parole Board of Canada. You must include the mandatory government processing fee and proof that you have been of good conduct in your community.
How Much Does it Cost in Winnipeg?
Applying for a record suspension involves multiple administrative fees. 💰 While the federal government recently lowered its processing fee, you still must pay for local documents in Manitoba.
| Requirement | Estimated Cost in CAD | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Parole Board Fee | $50 CAD | The mandatory application fee paid directly to the Receiver General for Canada. |
| RCMP Fingerprints | $60 – $85 CAD | Fees paid to a local fingerprinting agency in Winnipeg. |
| Local Police Check | $50 – $100 CAD | Paid to the Winnipeg Police Service to verify your local conduct. |
| Court Documents | $20 – $50 CAD | Provincial fees to print and certify your final court dispositions. |
| Legal Services (Optional) | $800 – $1,500 CAD | Lawyer fees to handle the complex document gathering and application drafting. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Clearing your record takes patience. 📅 Gathering all your documents from the RCMP, local police, and Manitoba courts typically takes 2 to 4 months. Once the Parole Board of Canada receives your complete application, their service standards dictate that they must process summary convictions within 6 months and indictable offences within 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does a record suspension erase my criminal record?
No. A record suspension does not erase or destroy your record. Instead, it isolates it from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. Standard employer background checks will come back perfectly clean.
Will a Canadian pardon help me enter the United States?
Unfortunately, no. American border authorities do not recognize Canadian record suspensions. If they already know about your past charges, you will still need to apply for a U.S. Entry Waiver to cross the border legally.
Can a record suspension be revoked?
Yes. If you are convicted of a new criminal offence after receiving your pardon, or if it is discovered that you lied on your original application, the Parole Board of Canada can immediately revoke your record suspension.
Do I have to hire a lawyer to apply?
No, the process is designed so that individuals can apply on their own. However, many people hire a law firm because minor mistakes on the application can lead to the Parole Board rejecting the file and causing major delays.
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