Victoria MP calls on Ottawa to expunge records for Canadians with personal-use pot convictions

A B.C. MP is calling on the federal government to grant a fresh start tothose who have been charged with carrying a small amount of marijuana for personal use something that will be legal in less than two weeks.

Murray Rankinis introducing a private members bill Thursday that would see convictions for carrying less than 30 grams of marijuana expunged from a person's criminal record.

Carrying that amount of pot for personal, non-violent use will be legal afterOct. 17.

Rankin, MP for Victoria, said a clean slate can be life-changing.

"I've had calls from a mother in Saskatoon who says her child is unable to coach a soccer team. I've heard people whocan not rent apartments," said Rankin, who is also the NDP's justice critic.

"Our goal is to take marginalized peopleand others who have a real difficulty in the workforce and in renting apartments andtake away the obstacle, so they can climb the ladder like the rest of us."

Long, costly process

Canadians currently have to wait five to 10 years and pay more than $630 to apply for a pardon. Even then, pardons don'tcompletely clear one's record.

If the bill passes, Rankin said he hopes the new applicationswould be free, simpler to complete and lead tocomplete removal of charges.

He said more than 500,000 Canadians have a criminal record for cannabis possession.

"It shouldn't be a continuing burden for people who have a record for activities which will be perfectly legal after Oct. 17,"Rankin said.

Convictions for trafficking and other drug-related crimes would not be affected by the bill.

With files from Megan Batchelorand The Early Edition

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