Can a Canadian citizen with a criminal record travel to another Canadian province?

Answer 1

Each country has its own policy regarding admission of canadians with criminal record. The best idea is to check it out with the embassy of that country in Ottawa.

As for USA, most conviction makes it hard for a Canadian to enter that country. But there are exception (eg. "simple DUI" without injuries....) . If you are denied access, you can ask the US embassy for a waiver.

Your lawyer might consider asking the judge to grant you an absolute discharge if you havent been sentenced yet and if you can demonstrate that a criminal record would prevent you from travelling for work or other significant reasons.

Revision:

If you have a criminal record in Canada, it will either be a summary offence (less serious, like theft under $5,000) or an indictable offence (most serious, like theft over $5,000, murder, drug trafficking). Believe me, if you have been charged with a criminal offence, you will be VERY aware of the difference.

Being convicted of a summary offence will NOT prohibit you from traveling to the US. An indictable offence will. If you have been convicted of an indictable offence in Canada, you must wait 5 years after your conviction date before you can apply for an Immigration waiver. At a cost of nearly $600 and a 3 - 6 month waiting period, you may or may not be granted a waiver at their discretion. Immigration waivers are valid from anywhere between 1 - 5 years, again at their discretion. You must go through the same process and pay the same amount of money each time. Don't bother asking why, they wont tell you. You must produce this waiver every time you cross, whether you are asked for it or not. They will send you in to the office where you have to purchase a card for $5.00 that will be valid for the length of your stay, or for multiple entries for up to a period of 6 months. Once again, this is up to the discretion of the border agent. If you cross on a long weekend, this can be a VERY time consuming process. You'll be in a BIG line.

It should be noted that if you have a drug related criminal offence, you are unlikely to be granted a waiver, as they have a zero tolerance policy for drugs in the US. Hopefully your last US experience was a happy one, because you're likely never to legally set foot on US soil again.

If you want to travel to Mexico, you will have no problem, provided you do not have a criminal record in Mexico. You will simply require a passport and a tourist card (supplied by most airlines and included with the cost of your trip). Make sure you plan your air travel so that you don't have to set down on US soil, or you are bound to have problems.

Traveling throughout Europe and most of Asia should be easy too, but I would double check with the respective consulates before you go.

Being granted an absolute discharge is extremely unlikely in all but the most extenuating circumstances, especially if it's an indictable offence. If they have enough evidence to convict you, you're done.

Please note...A Canadian Pardon is only recognized in Canada! It DOES NOT erase your criminal history. You will still have a criminal record. All it does, is enable you to answer an employment application question "Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted?" with a "No." Other than that, a pardon isn't worth the paper it's written on. Don't waste your time and money applying for one, unless you need a bond for a job or some other kind of security clearance for employment purposes. You have to wait 5 years after the end of your sentence to apply for one. Foreign countries do not honour them. Some people use the term "pardon" when referring to an immigration waiver. They are NOT the same thing.

One more note...if you are asked by anyone, in an official capacity, in a foreign country if you have a criminal record, DO NOT LIE! Your troubles will MULTIPLY!! They ask you first, then they research your background to verify. If you are lying, you're going to jail. This can be a period of anywhere from 1 day to up to a month or more if you have to be extradited back to Canada. Don't take the risk. The lie will become the problem for you, not your record.

Answer 2

Any Canadian who is not actually in jail is free to travel anywhere he or she likes within Canada. A criminal record does not prevent you from travelling to another province.

Answer 3

Jamaica