Lorrie Goldstein
@sunlorrie17,600 foreigners have had their criminal convictions forgiven by the Immigration Department over the past 11 years up to 2024, removing a bar to coming to Canada, federal government figures show.
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Canada’s IRCC Forgave 17,600 Foreign Convictions, Sparking Transparency Debate
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Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has ruled 17,600 foreigners convicted of crimes abroad to be “rehabilitated” over the past 11 years, removing a key barrier to entering the country on work, study or residency permits, according to federal figures released this week.
Under the program, applicants may be deemed rehabilitated if at least five years have passed since completion of their sentence. Decisions on less-serious offences are made by IRCC officials, while the immigration minister rules on more serious crimes. In 2024 the department approved 1,390 applications and rejected 105; in 2023 it approved 1,505 and rejected 70.
IRCC has not released a breakdown of the offences that were waived, drawing criticism from Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner, who said greater disclosure is needed to maintain public confidence in Canada’s vetting system. Immigration lawyer Richard Kurland added that waiving convictions for violent or sexual crimes without detailed justification could pose safety risks.
An IRCC spokesperson said decisions weigh the nature of the offence, the person’s behaviour since conviction and community support, and that rehabilitation approval is only one step before any visa or residency is granted. Opposition lawmakers are expected to press for hearings on the issue when Parliament resumes after the summer break.
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