Understanding Record Suspensions (Pardons) in Alberta

By Karanpal Aujla, Criminal Lawyer at Cambria Law (Edmonton)
Published: Monday, December 22, 2025

Introduction

A criminal record can follow you long after you’ve paid your debt to society. It can affect job opportunities, international travel, volunteering, and even your ability to rent an apartment. Fortunately, Canadian law provides a path to move forward — through a record suspension, commonly known as a pardon.

For people in Alberta seeking to rebuild their lives after conviction, a record suspension doesn’t erase history, but it does set it aside, allowing you to move forward without the daily weight of a criminal record.

What Is a Record Suspension?

A record suspension is an order granted by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) that separates your criminal record from public view.

When granted:

• Your record is sealed in the national Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database.
• It’s no longer visible in most criminal record checks for employment or volunteering.
• You are legally considered to have a “clean” record, unless you commit a new offence.

A record suspension does not erase the conviction — it simply restricts access to it, recognizing that you’ve completed your sentence and maintained good conduct.

Who Can Apply for a Record Suspension in Alberta

You can apply for a record suspension if:

• You’ve completed all parts of your sentence, including jail, probation, and fines.
• The required waiting period has passed (see below).
• You’ve demonstrated good conduct and have not reoffended.

You cannot apply if you were convicted of:

• A sexual offence involving a minor.
• More than three offences prosecuted by indictment with sentences of two years or more each.

For most other convictions, including assault, theft, impaired driving, and drug-related offences, you may be eligible once you’ve met the waiting period and conduct requirements.

Waiting Periods for Eligibility

Under Canada’s Criminal Records Act, the waiting periods depend on how your sentence was handled:

• 5 years for summary conviction offences (less serious crimes).
• 10 years for indictable offences (more serious crimes).

The waiting period begins only after all parts of your sentence are completed — including payment of fines, restitution, probation, or conditional sentence orders.

For example, if you finished probation in June 2018, your five- or ten-year clock starts then, not from the conviction date.

Why Record Suspensions Matter

In Alberta, a criminal record can create barriers long after a case is closed. Many employers, landlords, and volunteer organizations conduct background checks. Even without malice, a record can lead to rejection or lost opportunities.

A record suspension can:

• Improve access to employment and education.
• Restore travel opportunities, especially to countries that check criminal databases.
• Rebuild personal reputation and confidence.
• Facilitate professional licensing where a clean record is required.

It is one of the most effective tools available to people who have moved on from past mistakes and want to participate fully in their community again.

How to Apply for a Record Suspension

The process is handled federally by the Parole Board of Canada, but Alberta residents follow the same national procedure. It involves several steps:

1. Obtain your criminal record from the RCMP (CPIC).
2. Get local police checks from every jurisdiction you’ve lived in over the past five years.
3. Collect court documents showing that all sentences and fines are complete.
4. Complete the official PBC application form, including personal statements of conduct.
5. Submit your application with the processing fee (currently $50) to the Parole Board of Canada.

Incomplete applications are a common reason for delays — attention to detail and accuracy are crucial.

What the Parole Board Considers

When reviewing your application, the Parole Board evaluates whether:

• You’ve been law-abiding since completing your sentence.
• Granting the suspension would sustain confidence in the administration of justice.
• The application is complete, truthful, and supported by documentation.

In most straightforward cases, the Board reviews files administratively — meaning no hearing is required. If there are concerns, the Board may conduct a file review or in-person hearing before making a decision.

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on complexity:

• Summary offences: usually within 6–12 months.
• Indictable offences: may take 12–24 months.

Delays often result from incomplete documents, unpaid fines, or pending legal matters. Applicants can check the PBC website for updates once their application is received.

What a Record Suspension Does — and Doesn’t — Do

A record suspension:

• Removes your criminal record from public view in most databases.
• Prevents employers and landlords from seeing it during background checks.
• Restores eligibility for most jobs and volunteer roles requiring background clearance.

However, it does not:

• Guarantee entry into foreign countries (the U.S. border operates under its own laws).
• Automatically clear provincial or civil records (such as court judgments).
• Apply if new criminal charges are laid.

If you commit another offence, your record suspension can be revoked, and your criminal record reinstated.

Alternative: Expungement of Historical Convictions

Canada also offers expungement for specific historical convictions that are now recognized as unjust (for example, offences related to same-sex relationships prior to 1969). Expungement is rare but results in a permanent deletion of the record — unlike a suspension, which can be reinstated.

For most Albertans with criminal records, however, a record suspension is the available and practical route to a clean slate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying too early — ensure your waiting period is fully complete.
2. Leaving out old addresses — every jurisdiction you lived in must provide a police check.
3. Unpaid fines or restitution — even small balances can disqualify your application.
4. Incomplete or inconsistent information — the Parole Board cross-checks all documents.

Seeking guidance from a lawyer or reputable record suspension service can help prevent costly delays or denials.

Conclusion

A record suspension offers a second chance — not by rewriting the past, but by recognizing rehabilitation and personal growth. For many in Alberta, it’s the key to rebuilding careers, reconnecting with family, and moving forward without stigma.

The process takes time, patience, and precision, but the result is lasting freedom from the barriers of a criminal record.

Cambria Law | Criminal Defence in Edmonton

At Cambria Law, we help clients across Alberta prepare and submit record suspension applications correctly and efficiently. Our team ensures your file meets Parole Board standards and that your eligibility is clearly established.

Contact us to discuss your eligibility for a record suspension and take the next step toward a clean record.