I think the biggest impact is restoring some self-esteem. Some of you may have seen that I appeared in front of a standing committee back in 2010, before the pardons act was dismantled, which was a big disappointment to me. I won't take that platform here today, because we're here about something else, but in my case I would say that it restored a lot of my personal feelings of self-worth and gave me confidence to be able to go out in the community, which I did.
I worked in the system for a number of years. I left the 7th Step organization as a staff person in 1982, stayed as a volunteer, and went to work in the oil and gas business. I had a successful career for many years and was able to give back. I think that's probably one of the biggest benefits for me personally, and I would say to a lot of other people, plus it opens doors for people who don't have to say on an application form “I have a criminal record.” Under the pardons act now, as a record suspension, that has changed somewhat, and hopefully that battle isn't over yet, but in any event, an individual who can regain some of that self-esteem is given that extra boost to continue on with their direction in life.