Serious Criminality changes that may effect Permanent Residents for impaired driving

In December 2018 tougher sentences for impaired driving will come into force and will effect non-Canadian Citizens who may have been convicted under this law. Impaired driving will be deemed as Serious Criminality if sentenced to at least six months imprisonment. Previously impaired driving was considered a criminality and would not have affected non-Canadian Citizens status. As a Permanent Resident you have to abide by the immigration regulations and not commit any crime in Canada and impaired driving is considered a serious crime that may lead to the revocation of your status as a Permanent Resident and deportation. However as this new law will only come into force this December 2018, any previous charges under this law will allow you to be grandfathered in if you were charged and will be treated as a charge under the laws at that time. If you have any questions or other Permanent Resident topics you would like to discuss with us, feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to assist you.