Credible Threat to Canada

"We promote positive behaviour by giving people hope. [We] assist individuals in removing a past criminal offence from public record. [Pardons Canada website claims it] a good idea [for those would-be landed immigrants facing deportation to apply for a pardon.] "By doing this you can show Immigration Canada that you are no longer involved in any criminal activities, and that you qualify to have your criminal record removed."
Pardons Canada, Toronto non-profit

Canada tried to deport Raed Jaser 8 years ago

In fact, Pardons Canada assisted in a criminal offence against Canada in luring Raed Jaser, a failed refugee claimant, to clear his record through a legal process that badly needs scrutiny of oversight. This was a man who, despite his non-status in the country remained here because he was stateless, and Canada had nowhere to deport him to. Arrested repeatedly on fraud charges, writing thousands worth of forged cheques, sentenced for uttering threats, he had amassed quite the criminal record.

To clear his name of criminal charges represented an action of clear and direct stupidity, one that had the potential to harm Canada and Canadian society. And this is precisely what did occur, and not long after he had been given the good news: "The National Parole Board is pleased to inform you that a pardon has been awarded...[his criminal history] would no more "reflect adversely" on his character.

The parole board had contacted the RCMP advising them not to disclose his convictions and letters with similar advice contained were forwarded to the Ontario Court, Provincial Court and Correctional Service of Canada. His record wiped clean, suitable for candidacy for permanent residency. Granted him in 2012. The very year the Canadian Security Intelligence Service noticed him.

CSIS and the RCMP launched Project Smooth as an investigation of allegations that this man and a Tunisian by the name of Chiheb Esseghaier, an engineering doctoral student in Montreal were very busy, planning a terrorist attack in Canada. They were tracked for months as they busied themselves scouting locations from which to derail a passenger train to best effect.

Now 36, Mr. Jaser had lived in the United Arab Emirates, in Jordan and in Germany with his family, where they had no official status. His father a Palestinian born in Israel, his mother born in Saudi Arabia, his refugee claim was made in 1994, and rejected. When the two conspirators were arrested last April over an Al-Qaeda-Iran-linked plot, Mr. Jaser's criminal past had been expunged.

Six weeks following his arrest the parole board wrote again to Mr. Jaser at the Toronto jail where he was now in residence to inform him that his pardon might be revoked as a result of the terror allegations, which reflected "a fundamental disregard for Canadian law and the safety of the public"; a statement so out of touch with reality it's actually sadly hilarious.

Not so amusing is the fact that Mr. Jaser's lawyer John Norris, feels it to be unfair his pardon could be revoked through unproven allegations. A concern the parole board felt no sympathy with when it ultimately contacted him yet again to inform him that "reliable and persuasive" information had emerged leading them to finalize their decision: "Consequently, the board hereby revokes your pardon."

"We are proceeding with the judicial review of the pardon revocation. No date has been set yet. Otherwise, I cannot comment at this time", the lawyer commented on behalf of Mr. Jaser who has appealed the decision to the Federal Court. The chutzpa involved here is quite amazing, but Mr. Jaser, much like others of  his ilk have discovered how easy it is to dabble about in Canadian law giving themselves breathing room ad infinitum.