Liberal government faces pressure to wipe criminal records rather than suspend
Ottawa wants to make it free and fast for Canadians to obtain criminal pardons for simple pot possession, but Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale made it clear Wednesday the government does not support the push for conviction records to be destroyed outright.
Goodale said legislation is coming this fall to waive the fee and waiting period for Canadians seeking a pardon for possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana – an offence punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Kevin Campbell of Bonnyville, Alta., said Wednesday he hopes this will amount to a clean state, noting his only record blemish is a small pot possession charge from his younger years.
“It’s kind of haunted me,” he said while lining up to be among the first to legally buy cannabis in Edmonton. “I was waiting for the pardon because it costs about $700 to $1,200 to get a lawyer. Now it’s free.”