During Jan, when trying to get a pardon for an offense i committed in I looked online to see where to start. I found Pardons Canada, from the website and thier statement "Pardons Canada is a Federal non-profit organization that assists individuals in removing a past criminal offence from public record" When i saw the website I was sure i was dealing with a firm that could help me. Honestly by the way things read they were a government service. For $500.00, they would clear my criminal record in two years or for $650, they could clear my record in one year. So in Feb I paid them the $644.
A month later, i recieved a package that they needed me to gather info, so they could start. They needed me to have my fingerprints done ($70) once this was done they would froward this to the RCMP for a criminal check. They also wanted me to do a local police check. Since the crim took place in a different town I live in, they wanted a police check in both towns. ($30 each). Since the crime had taken place 10 yrs ealier in the other town, the police department did it, but laughed as I had no more records thier and it was a waste of time. All this running around was my time and money which i figured should have been payed by pardons canada, after all what was i paying them to do.
I had all this info to them by April i had not heard a thing from them in 4 months. When i called thier 800 number i got voice mail, when i tried to e-mail them i recieved an e-mail that said if i hav any questions to fill out a form online (there fore there would be no e-mail trail, i assume).
Finally in October i recieved a request in the mail from them asking for the Pardons Board fee, claiming that would be another $150.00. I finally got to speak to someone and asked why the $150 is not mentioned up front when I paid the first $650. They said that it is just the way it is. They took my $150 payment oout Nov.
In April I had not heard anything so i filled out an online request. They e-mailed me, "Your Pardon is currently with the Parole Board of Canada for final review and granting of the Pardon. Should you wish to follow up with them to see what the delay is you can contact them at 1-800-874-2652 Ext. 5".
Once again I guees it was up to me to follow up. So I called the Parole Board, and they had told me they had recieved the paperwork Jan 23. They told me it would take 1-2years to process.
I have since called my Member of Parliment and have been informed that yes it takes 1-2 years for the Parole Board to process. My MP also informed me that no one should use a company such as Pardons Canada as they can not speed up the process. If the MP's office has forms that you can fill out your self to apply for the pardon on your own.
This company implies they will get your pardon, when they infact are not the ones that issue you a pardon and as you can see from my notes (and others that did the same thing) they do not even do anything that would warrant $600.
Since this has happened the Parole Board now wanted $600 for the fee, does that mean Pardons Canada will want thier $600 and then $600 later to pay the parole board.
I really want my money back as they have done nothing for me. If there is a class action lawsuit out their i would like to know about it. I was mislead from the beginning, I paid $120 more than thier non-urgent fee, and nothing happened quickly. I was lead to believe they would collect what was needed to put the Pardon together, and using the words Federal, made it sound like they were part of the governemnt. They have my money, and yes now my assingnment is waiting to be heard by Parole Board, and Pardons Canada is done with me, I do not have my Pardon, they should not have my money. They should not be allowed to do what they do and promise what they promise.
Again, I would love to be involved in a class action lawsuit, I am waiting for this pardon to seek employment, they have cost me money.
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