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Effect of a criminal record
How can a conviction hurt you?
A criminal conviction or even a discharge
- where you're found guilty but not convicted - could restrict
your ability to travel abroad. Some countries, including the United
States, could refuse you entry.
If you are a visitor to Canada, for example,
on a student visa or temporary work permit, any criminal conviction
could result in your deportation. A landed immigrant convicted
of a crime might have to wait several more years before being
allowed to apply for citizenship. If the crime is serious, even
a landed immigrant may be deported.
A criminal record could prevent you from obtaining
a licence to work in a chosen field. Many professional and vocational
bodies require that their members be of "good character"
and may reject applicants convicted of certain crimes. For example,
the Architects Act of Ontario provides that an aspiring architect
could be denied a licence if his or her past conduct "affords
grounds for belief that the applicant will not engage in the practice
of architecture in accordance with the law and with honesty and
integrity."
A conviction, or even a finding of guilt, involving
theft, fraud or other crime of dishonesty could bar you from work
in an industry where you have access to other people's money or
property such as banking, retailing, transportation, or cleaning.
A conviction for a crime involving violence or
threats could result in your being refused a firearms acquisition
certificate (FAC) or licence for the use of a firearm, such as
a hunting licence.
Related links
Canadian Criminal Records Information Services (maintained by the RCMP)
For impact on immigration to Canada, see the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,
section 36 in particular.
For impact of criminal conviction on entry to
the United States, see the U.S. Code; Title 8 - Aliens and Nationality; Chapter 12 - Aliens
and Immigration; Section 1182 - Inadmissible Aliens.
Canadian criminal record clearance certificates for work, school or volunteering can be obtained for a nominal fee through TrueCheck based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Some police forces may offer this service at no cost.
U.S. Immigration Attorney
New York immigration attorney Andrew Lipkind can assist with entry to the United States following criminal proceedings in Canada.
Disclaimer: The material on this site is not intended as legal advice. It merely conveys general information on legal issues commonly encountered by persons facing criminal charges in Canada. If you are charged with an offence, you should contact a criminal lawyer.
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