Life imprisonment (mandatory minimum)
Murder carries mandatory life imprisonment, making it among the most serious offences for immigration purposes. Serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1): creates permanent inadmissibility. No deemed rehabilitation is possible for offences punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment. A record suspension (pardon) cannot overcome inadmissibility for offences of this severity.
The sentencing rule for murder, and there is nothing for a judge to weigh, the sentence is life. For entry purposes that means permanent inadmissibility with no waiting period that ever clears it. A pardon or record suspension granted elsewhere does not reach this level either.
(1) Every one who commits first degree murder or second degree murder is guilty of an indictable offence and shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life. (2) For the purposes of Part XXIII, the sentence of imprisonment for life prescribed by this section is a minimum punishment.