Bill C-31 (Historical)

This enactment amends the Criminal Records Act to, among other things,
(a) replace the expression “record suspension” with the term “pardon”;
(b) reduce the applicable waiting period before a person may apply for a pardon from 10 years to five years if the person is convicted of an offence that is prosecuted by indictment, and from five years to three years if the person is convicted only of an offence punishable on summary conviction;
(c) provide that Parole Board of Canada employees may exercise certain powers and perform certain duties and functions of the Board;
(d) remove the pardon ineligibility of persons who have been convicted of more than three offences prosecuted by indictment for each of which a sentence of two years or more was imposed;
(e) make persons who were convicted of a terrorism offence for which a sentence of 10 years or more was imposed ineligible for a pardon;
(f) amend the factors to be considered by the Board when deciding whether to grant a pardon;
(g) allow for identification following a DNA match in the same manner as following a fingerprint match; and
(h) remove the exception to automatic cessation of effect of a pardon for those convicted of an offence under subsection 320.‍14(1) or 320.‍15(1) of the Criminal Code.
The enactment also makes consequential amendments to other Acts.