My huband has a criminal conviction can he sponser me?

[saoirse]

I'm Irish and my husband is Canadian, we have decided to move to Canada and want to know the best route to go. He has a conviction for drug offenses and served time for it but has not been in trouble for five years. Can he still sponser me, I have a masters degree and good work experience, should I go in as a skilled immigrant or does it take too long?

[Leon]

The requirements for sponsor can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/sponsor/spouse-apply-who.asp but it only mentions violent offence as something that could stop sponsorship.  If he had no violent past, he should be fine, also because he's been good for 5 years now.