Parole Board hires staff to finally tackle backlog of old pardon applications

OTTAWA – The Parole Board of Canada has begun to tackle a backlog of almost 22,000 pardon applications.

The effort began with hiring and training of 21 temporary clerical staff and pardons officers in November and December.

But the board isn’t expected to clear the backlog for another two years.

All the files pre-date the March 2012 omnibus Conservative crime bill, when the Harper government quadrupled the application fee to $631.

Those who applied under the higher fee are at the front of the line, having their criminal record suspensions handled within months.

The backlog is the result of a massive pardons crackdown sparked by the case of a hockey coach pardoned after being convicted of sexually assaulting young players.