Criminal Record in Canada While

Criminal Record in Canada While it's true that no human being is immune to making mistakes, some mistakes have heftier prices to pay than others. For example, aside from the regret, embarrassment, cost, time and financial expense of committing a criminal offense, the offense stays on one's record for one's entire life, and could prevent one from jobs, opportunities and travel. This is a truly serious concept that one needs to bear in mind when considering the concept of crime or toying with the idea of committing a crime.

In Canada, as in most other countries, criminal records are not erased after a certain amount of time or for minor offenses and one must answer "yes" if ever asked if one has been guilty of a criminal offense or convicted (educaloi.qc.ca). But this candidness when questioned is just the tip of the iceberg. Examine the following examples: "A person convicted of impaired driving or a related offence will eventually have their ability to drive restored but will face a lifetime of greater insurance premiums.

A conviction for a minor offence may forever affect a person's ability to travel. A person convicted of a criminal offence may have to provide a drop of blood so that their DNA is stored in a police databank. Fingerprints and photographs taken upon arrest are retained by the police unless a formal application is made to have them destroyed" (Kostman & Pitzer, 2008). Without a doubt, these instances demonstrate how a criminal record in Canada will forever change one's future, limiting one's freedom.

Employment Unfortunately, when it comes to Canada, one of the reasons why Canada is such a safe place to live is as a result of the tough stances that the Canadian government takes on criminals. "A criminal record could prevent you from obtaining a license 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 license 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" (Jourard, 2012). Jourard explains that when it comes to crimes of dishonesty such as theft, could prevent an individual from ever working in a field where honesty is a requisite of the job, such as banking or retailing (2012).

On the other hand, for a crime like armed assault, an individual could be refused a certificate that would allow him to own a gun and would also prevent him from getting a hunting license (Jourard, 2012). While rehabilitation is important, and it's necessary to make criminals able to contribute to society, it's also important that one not make naive or presumptuous mistakes. For example, in Canada, the government often does not allow offenders to work in fields that have some overlap with the crimes they've committed.

Truly, in Canada, the impacts of a criminal record are staggering: it can thwart one from obtaining a professional license; it can prevent one from working in certain arena; it can stop one from being insured; and it can make travel extremely difficult (educaloi.qc.ca). For example, in Canada, if you have a criminal record of any kind, you will be unable to work for the police.

At the same time, an employer cannot refuse to hire you or fire you if you have criminal record which doesn't negatively (or potentially impact) the duties of the given job. For instance, if it's a job painting houses and you have a criminal record for armed assault, there's presumably nothing about the criminal charges which would indicate that you might not be consistent, reliable, fair or honest at this job. However, if the criminal charges were for transporting or making drugs, it might be a different story.

Although, it will be difficult for someone to prove that they were fired or not hired as a result of their criminal record, rather than an arbitrary reason that the prospective employer gave. Thus, having a criminal record can tremendously impact one's ability to get a job. Housing In Canada, landlords are well within their legal rights to refuse someone the ability to lease an apartment because of their criminal record; such a thing is not considered discrimination and well protected by the law.