“Having to declare a criminal record presents a significant, sometimes insurmountable, obstacle to accessing employment, training and education. There is no doubt that in the case of certain serious crimes, it is never appropriate to forget the fact of a conviction. Our European neighbours have long recognised this and they have all adopted so-called “spent convictions” laws that wipe the slate clean for many convictions after a specified number of years.” Harper is taking us in the opposite direction of the civilized world. He wants to make sure that you pay for your mistake for the rest of your life.
Frances Fitzgerald has stated her intention to enact the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 by this summer
Source: Bill aims to wipe the slate clean on certain convictions