Pardons

The Church Council closely monitors changes to the process of granting pardons, a process which assists former offenders in fully and positively reintegrating into their communities.

Pardons are granted upon completion of specific criteria, such as the completion of the sentence of incarceration, probation, fines, restitution and compensation orders. Since 1970, more than 400,000 Canadians have received pardons, 96% of which are still in force – meaning the recipients remain crime-free within the community.

The following links provide further information and analysis of the pardon system in Canada and the changes resulting from recent and forthcoming legislation.

CCJC Alert – A Public Consultation: Proposed Increase to the Pardon Application Fee by 400% (2 Feb 2011). The CCJC issued an Alert to our network encouraging people to participate in a public consultation regarding the proposed increase to the pardon application fee from $150 to $631.

Brief to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security: Regarding further changes to legislation governing Pardons. (John Hutton, Executive Director, John Howard Society of Manitoba, 22 Nov 2010). This brief expresses concerns with proposed changes to legislation governing pardons, such as the increase in waiting times and the prohibition of pardons for certain offences.

Testimonies from two former offenders before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (22 Nov 2010). Mr. Chris Courchene and Mr. Mumtaz Muhammed offer personal testimony about how the changes to the pardon system will undermine their goals of achieving meaningful and positive employment and reintegration.