Record Suspension Services in Ottawa
Living with a criminal record can be difficult. Thankfully, the Criminal Records Act allows for relief for individuals who have shown to have rehabilitated themselves and are now law-abiding citizens.
How a Criminal Record Can Impact Someone
A criminal record can disadvantage and inconvenience a person in many ways. Here’s a quick look at just a few of them.
Employment opportunities: companies hiring new staff frequently request a criminal background check on potential candidates. It has also become a common practice to do the same for internal employees seeking a promotion.
Finding a place to live: landlords often won’t rent apartments or homes to people with a criminal record. Acquiring a mortgage can also be more difficult for someone with a record.
Travel and immigration: entry into foreign countries including the U.S. can be denied to people with a criminal record. It can also impede somebody’s chances of acquiring their Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
Future accusations: people with criminal records are more likely to be suspected of wrongdoing, and it can have their credibility and trustworthiness questioned.
Discrimination of this kind directed at someone with a criminal record is entirely legal and acceptable in our society. However, the same type of discrimination directed at someone without a criminal record or who has had his or her record suspended represents a violation of human rights legislation.
