Between 2014 and 2024, more than 25,350 foreigners filed a request for erasure of their criminal record in order to be able to enter Canada, whether with a work or study visa, to request permanent residence or for a short stay.
This text is a translation of a CTV News article.
Among these, almost 70% has been approved, almost 20% was refused and around 10% have been withdrawn.
“Canadians’ safety will always be our top priority,” wrote Rémi Larivière, spokesperson for IRCC, in an email addressed to CTV News. “The decisions to approve or refuse a request for rehabilitation are taken by experienced immigration agents, based on legal criteria and a detailed examination of the facts.”
To see too | Foreign workers: the Quebec employers’ council press governments to act
“People who have been convicted abroad must demonstrate that they have rehabilitated and that they do not represent a risk for Canadian society.
-Rémi Larivière, spokesperson for IRCC
IRCC does not filter requests according to the type of criminal activity. The ministry also did not specify how many requests concerned people wishing to go to Canada for a short period, as opposed to those who wanted to work, study or obtain permanent residence.
IRCC does not filter requests according to the country of origin of the applicant.
“Rehabilitation is a long -standing practice, the provisions of which have been set out in the Immigration and protection of refugee law Since 2001, more specifically in paragraph 36 (3) (C), “wrote the spokesperson for IRCC. “It is not a question of forgiving crimes. These provisions are applied with caution and on a case -by -case basis. ”
For a rehabilitation request to be approved, a person must demonstrate that five years have passed since the offense or the end of their sentence and prove that they are not likely to commit other crimes, according to IRCC.
Mr. Larivière also explained that all requests are evaluated by an ICC agent who takes into account the nature and gravity of the offense, time elapsed from his committee, “proofs of good conduct since then”, from the support from which the applicant benefits within his community, as well as other factors.
According to IRCC, “people must always meet all other requirements relating to a visa or an immigration program”.
“This process has brought together family members and Canadian spouses, and has enabled artists and professional athletes to enter Canada, despite a criminal conviction in their past,” wrote IRCC spokesperson. “The approval of the rehabilitation simply makes the person not inadmissible because of his criminal past – she does not automatically grant him entry into Canada.”
