Centre helps clear slate for convicted criminals

Everyone deserves a second chance, and now the National Pardon Centre, a national non-profit agency that opened its doors at the end of January, is extending that courtesy to people convicted of committing a crime.

"At some point you've got to give people an opportunity, give them a chance to rehabilitate," said Birgit Granberg, regional director.

The mandate of the pardon centre is to help Canadians remove their criminal records so they can go on to live normal and productive lives. It also helps people get entry waivers into the U.S.

"This allows people to start looking for legitimate jobs. Increasingly, employer are doing background checks on applicants," Granberg said.

Based in Montreal, the centre's decision to open a second office in Calgary came with the realization that Alberta was home to its second-largest number of clients.

However, pardons don't happen overnight. Granberg said applications could take up to one year before receiving approval by the National Parole Board of Canada.

Before an application is filed, the centre must ensure clients are eligible for a pardon. Fingerprints are taken and certified by the RCMP in Ottawa. After that, the centre confirms the client has served his or sentence and a background check is done to make sure there are no out-standing warrants or charges. The majority of offences the centre helps obtain pardons for include include drunk driving, minor drug possession or assault. The centre also deal with more serious crimes, such as sexual assault.

Major offences, such as first- or second-degree murder are ineligible for pardons. Granberg said those crimes are often paire with either a life sentence or life on parole.

For more information on the local walk-in centre go to www.nationalpardon.org or call 403-698-8800, or toll free at 1-866-242-2411