The Liberal government will waive the fee and waiting period for Canadians seeking a pardon for a past conviction for simple pot possession.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced today that the government intends to table legislation to expedite the pardon process for those with a criminal record for pot.
The fee for normal record suspensions is $631. The waiting period to apply is usually five years for a summary offence or 10 years for an indictable offence.
Goodale said it will "shed the burden and stigma" and break down barriers to jobs, education, housing or volunteer work.
But he could not give a timeframe for when someone could apply and obtain a pardon, noting that the "critical point" is getting the legislation tabled and passed in Parliament.
