Law Society of Upper Canada v. Schuchert, supra, involved an applicant with a lengthy criminal record who applied for admission to the law society. At para. 20 of that decision, the panel noted that people change and character at the time of the hearing is the key factor to be assessed: It is important not to confuse the good character requirement for admission with notions about forgiveness or about giving an applicant a second chance. The admissions panel is not in the forgiveness business; the test to be applied is clear, and the admissions panel is to determine if the applicant is of good character today. The Law Society Act does not permit an admissions panel to apply any test other than that relating to the applicant's good character at the time of the hearing. It’s good character today, and sympathy and forgiveness doesn’t enter into the equation.
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