Pardon and Criminal Record Suspension Application

Turn the page on your criminal record!

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Quebec has been offering an accompaniment service since May 2023 for pardon and criminal record suspension applications.

This service is free and available remotely or in person at our three locations (Montreal, Quebec City and Gatineau) in French and English. It is offered to women and gender-diverse people.

Are you afraid to apply for a job because of your record?
Have you ever been turned down for an apartment because of your record?
Do you hesitate to travel because of your record?

The ARPE project (Aide régionale au pardon pour Elles) aims to help people verify their eligibility for a pardon or record suspension, and to support them in the necessary steps. Financial assistance to cover the costs of certain steps may be granted to people experiencing financial difficulties.

Eligibility

Complete this form for an assessment of your eligibility:

Fill out the form

For more information:

Aide régionale au pardon pour Elles - Projet ARPE
Société Elizabeth Fry du Québec
infopardon [at] elizabethfry.qc.ca (infopardon[at]elizabethfry[dot]qc[dot]ca)
1.844.489.2116 # 7

FAQ

To apply for a pardon, you need to gather all the necessary documents/forms (criminal record, Court Information /LPRC forms, etc.) and send them to the Parole Board of Canada (PBC).
There are 9 steps to the application process, all of which must be completed in full.
Contact us for support with your application process at 1 844-489-2116 #7
By e-mail at infopardon [at] elizabethfry.qc.ca (infopardon[at]elizabethfry[dot]qc[dot]ca)
By Web form on the EFRY website

An application for a pardon or record suspension cannot be made directly online.
You must ensure that you provide the PBC by mail with all original documents with the official signatures/stamps/seals of the courts and police station, as well as the application form and the application processing fee.

Delays vary between 12 and 24 months.
We estimate between 6 and 12 months to recover all the original and official documents required (CR, CI, LPRC...).
The PBC then has between 6 and 12 months to grant or deny the application for record suspension.
The application is processed according to the eligibility criteria of the Criminal Records Act in force at the time of the first offence.

PLEASE NOTE: The PBC is the only federal authority authorized to grant or refuse a criminal record suspension. No other private body (company, lawyer, etc.) can speed up the processing of the application, or guarantee the granting of a record suspension or otherwise.

The application processing fee is $50.
Additional costs must also be considered (fingerprinting, various forms, etc.).
We estimate the total cost of the application to be between $250 and $350, depending on the steps involved.

PLEASE NOTE: The ARPE Project benefits from grants to help project users gain easier access to pardon applications. Contact us to find out more.

We are 3 community workers involved in the social rehabilitation process.
Bilingual service.
Our offices are located in Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City.
We offer personalized support services throughout the pardon application process. Step by step, calculation of eligibility, explanation of the process, advice, referrals... We listen to your reality and are caring in our interventions.
Our support can be in person or at a distance (e-mail, video, telephone, mail...).

Application for Pardon and Criminal Record Suspension

Turn the page on your criminal record!

Eligibility

For more information:

How to apply for a pardon or record suspension?

How to apply for a pardon or record suspension online?

How long does it take?

How much does it cost?

Who are we and what support services to we offer?

Head Office and Thérèse-Casgrain House

Elizabeth Fry Centre in Outaouais (CEFO)

Elizabeth Fry Centre in Québec (CEFQ)