Getting into Canada — Oops!!

I have been crossing once a year since 2004. While I have had the Canadian side ask us to pull over and go thru the vehicle a few times (not recently), I have had 1 tough experience getting back into the US for some strange reason. It could have been the day or the agent, who knows, but it was trying to say the least. After a few hours, we were sent on our way home with not so much as a thank you. That experience was over 10yrs ago so it is what it is. If that became the norm I would rethink things

walleye216 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>glenn57 wrote:</div>
for those reasons alone i quit fishing in canada. if they wanna make it that much of a pain………..they can keep there fish, not get my money and i’ll fish at home.

It is more of a pain for you to go to Canada than to not drink and drive?

I DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE anymore……..many many years. I learned my lesson.

hey to each there own…..I’ve never personally had issues getting across the border either. and yea the fishing is awesome,i have had 2 ordeals, nothing terrifying, yet they want your cash and make you feel like 2nd class citizens/visitors. i’ll fish minnesota waters…thank you some of you can think what you want of my opinion, fine by me, I have broad shoulders.

Once you get across though, you can learn some great things from our friends from the north…

I think the op is sorry he even asked.

sorry biggill… quoted you, seen you quoted the red carpet guy and I got lazy just quoted your post… that was for the guy who compared our securing our border, to canada’s rules for legal entry and their inconsistencies and gray areas at their borders.

glenn57 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleye216 wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>glenn57 wrote:</div>
for those reasons alone i quit fishing in canada. if they wanna make it that much of a pain………..they can keep there fish, not get my money and i’ll fish at home.

It is more of a pain for you to go to Canada than to not drink and drive?

I DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE anymore……..many many years. I learned my lesson.

hey to each there own…..I’ve never personally had issues getting across the border either. and yea the fishing is awesome,i have had 2 ordeals, nothing terrifying, yet they want your cash and make you feel like 2nd class citizens/visitors. i’ll fish minnesota waters…thank you some of you can think what you want of my opinion, fine by me, I have broad shoulders.

Just like we don’t want other countries criminals coming here, Canada doesn’t want our criminals in their country. Drinking and driving is a serious crime and should be treated as such.

walleye216 wrote:

Just like we don’t want other countries criminals coming here, Canada doesn’t want our criminals in their country. Drinking and driving is a serious crime and should be treated as such.

It is treated as such. No one here is suggesting it isn’t. Some people make mistakes in their life and have to spend many years paying for it. Whether it’s drinking and driving, shoplifting, drugs, assault, most people learn their lesson and deserve the right to move on with their lives. Continuing to punish someone for something harmless and victimless they did decades ago does nothing positive or anyone. Including the people with a clean slate. It costs you more and more money whenever penalties are stiffened.

^^^ My comment is in regards to US law. Canada is its own country and is free to do whatever the hell they want. If they want to prevent people from entering their country by appearance alone, so be it. I have no say.

big_g wrote:

sorry biggill… quoted you, seen you quoted the red carpet guy and I got lazy just quoted your post… that was for the guy who compared our securing our border, to canada’s rules for legal entry and their inconsistencies and gray areas at their borders.

Red Carpet guy here

My point was that in my experience Canadian border agents have been pleasant and fair… I’m not sure what more they could do to welcome us other than literally roll out a red carpet. We don’t even need a passport to enter Canada, yet need it to reenter our own country. I personally don’t see it as unfair for Canada to refuse entry to criminals.

And do you really think the US is the only country with illegal immigrants?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/05/refugees-continue-to-cross-from-us-to-canada-in-unprecedented-numbers.html

I used to work in Canada a lot. I didnt like how I was treated by cad customs several times. It turned me off to going there for recreation.

biggill wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleye216 wrote:</div>
Just like we don’t want other countries criminals coming here, Canada doesn’t want our criminals in their country. Drinking and driving is a serious crime and should be treated as such.

It is treated as such. No one here is suggesting it isn’t. Some people make mistakes in their life and have to spend many years paying for it. Whether it’s drinking and driving, shoplifting, drugs, assault, most people learn their lesson and deserve the right to move on with their lives. Continuing to punish someone for something harmless and victimless they did decades ago does nothing positive or anyone. Including the people with a clean slate. It costs you more and more money whenever penalties are stiffened.

I am in favor of much stiffer penalties for drinking and driving. I understand it may cost more money, but I don’t think you can put a cost on human life. Far to many people are getting 2,3,4 and more DUIs. Despite the cost I would like to see very stiff penalties (mandatory year in prison for first offense). I know this will never happen and would be financial and logistical problem to incarcerate that many people, but too many people are being murdered by drunk drivers and something has to be done.

I don’t like committing crimes referred to as “making a mistakes”. We all know the laws regarding drinking and driving and a person who does it, is knowingly committing a crime, not making a mistake.

walleye216 wrote:

I don’t like committing crimes referred to as “making a mistakes”. We all know the laws regarding drinking and driving and a person who does it, is knowingly committing a crime, not making a mistake.

I think this is a little High and Mighty. I’m against drunk driving too, but you’re telling me you’ve never been to an office party or ballgame or some situation where you responsibly had a beverage or two but perhaps were flirting with the legal limit of 0.08%?

Happens daily, thousands of people.

To answer the op’s question, there is no set rule. It’s officers discression. Our immigration officers review the individuals record, and make the decision based on their feelings. The general rule is: dui 5 years or newer, forget it, 5-10 years, possible,as long as you have no other criminal convictions, pay a 200 one time fee, 10 years or longer, with a clean record, they SHOULD allow you entry. Now, the easiest way to find out if you will have issues, is apply for a nexus card. It’s 50 bucks, good for 5 years. The nexus program is part of the joint pre approval program between both countries. When you apply for nexus, both countries review the individuals backgrounds and criminal records. Both countries have to approve the applicant to get approved. If you get the nexus card, you will have no problems with entry. Any questions, ask away. I’m Canadian but work in the states, so I can answer any questions for you.

Cameron white wrote:

To answer the op’s question, there is no set rule. It’s officers discression. Our immigration officers review the individuals record, and make the decision based on their feelings. The general rule is: dui 5 years or newer, forget it, 5-10 years, possible,as long as you have no other criminal convictions, pay a 200 one time fee, 10 years or longer, with a clean record, they SHOULD allow you entry. Now, the easiest way to find out if you will have issues, is apply for a nexus card. It’s 50 bucks, good for 5 years. The nexus program is part of the joint pre approval program between both countries. When you apply for nexus, both countries review the individuals backgrounds and criminal records. Both countries have to approve the applicant to get approved. If you get the nexus card, you will have no problems with entry. Any questions, ask away. I’m Canadian but work in the states, so I can answer any questions for you.

great post . 50$ to ensure a hassle free crossing ?Sounds like a no brainer if this is true .

The nexus and fast cards are part of the trusted traveler program. The traveller is pre screened once accepted in the program. If you are denied a nexus card, you know you will have an issue if you try to cross. Easier than getting turned back at the border. Also makes things easier getting back into the states.

Cameron white wrote:

The nexus and fast cards are part of the trusted traveler program. The traveller is pre screened once accepted in the program. If you are denied a nexus card, you know you will have an issue if you try to cross. Easier than getting turned back at the border. Also makes things easier getting back into the states.

Great info!

Sounds like the daily commuters who had issues weren’t to smart…

lindyrig79 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleye216 wrote:</div>
I don’t like committing crimes referred to as “making a mistakes”. We all know the laws regarding drinking and driving and a person who does it, is knowingly committing a crime, not making a mistake.

I think this is a little High and Mighty. I’m against drunk driving too, but you’re telling me you’ve never been to an office party or ballgame or some situation where you responsibly had a beverage or two but perhaps were flirting with the legal limit of 0.08%?

Happens daily, thousands of people.

Yes, that is exactly what I am telling you. I have made the choice to not commit this crime at any time in my life. It is an easy choice when you consider the consequences of the alternative.

WOWZER!!!!!:???:

Yeah no crap! I’m glad I’m not perfect, I would probably sound like that. Anyway, to each there own!

A person could have one drink and either be over the limit or under, depending on food intake, weight, etc.

How about speeding, jaywalking, or any form of distracted driving, etc, etc? I’m sure we could find a number of “crimes” that you have committed. LOL!!

dairycat wrote:

Yeah no crap! I’m glad I’m not perfect, I would probably sound like that. Anyway, to each there own!

Hmmm…

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It’s a misdemeanor crime first offense in most states,so is genuflechting a stop sign.I’m not saying there the same-only on paper.Should they be looked at that way at the border?I think so it’s still a misdemeanor.Screw Canada.

Chuck, just stay home that will fix ’em!

chuck100 wrote:

It’s a misdemeanor crime first offense in most states,so is genuflechting a stop sign.I’m not saying there the same-only on paper.Should they be looked at that way at the border?I think so it’s still a misdemeanor.Screw Canada.

Rolling a stop sign is a traffic offence here. A dui is a felony. No comparing the two on our side of the border.

My dads group that I go up with here and there just got turned down at the border. The rest of group from the dui fellas would be considered complicint trying to sneak em in supposedly:???:

Noone was ever sneaking anyone in years past obviously, they all got searched thoroughly.

I’d make sure those with records have their t’s crossed and i’s dotted if heading up!

chuck100 wrote:

It’s a misdemeanor crime first offense in most states,so is genuflechting a stop sign.I’m not saying there the same-only on paper.Should they be looked at that way at the border?I think so it’s still a misdemeanor.Screw Canada.

At least in MN stop sign and stop light offenses are petty misdemeanors.
DT

I have always wondered how much of this boader thing is politically motivated over the past 15 years. Especially last the last 2 years with the war on trade and pretty much thumbing of the nose to the great lakes pack by defunding and letting states like Wisconsin circumvent the rules for there own gain.

Irott – You can get permanent access through Canada’s rehabilitation program/permit. It is a pain in the ass. The paperwork is taxing enough where hiring a lawyer is a good idea ( I know a guy who was granted rehab status and his bro is a lawyer and that helped). As long as last offense was 10 years ago you would be a candidate for acceptance, even if multiple alcohol violations. Once/if you are granted approval they give you a a piece of paper. You present it to them at the border and you’re in. But you will never get it in time for this fall – don’t doubt me. 12 to 24 months. Also just FYI this guy I referenced before, he went through the border two times a year for 13 years before being flagged. Even then he was allowed a 5 day pass (for 180.00), but once flagged you will be checked every time so at that time is when you need to apply for rehab permit if you ever want to go back.

Been going to Canada for 30+ years very view issue and some of our guys have DUI’s. Here is what I learned.

DO’S
Roll down all windows and take off sunglasses.
Answer all questions with yes/no if possible.
Driver does all the talking.
Put your smart ass relative in the back seat and make sure he does not say anything.
Be polite and show them some respect

Dont’s
Bring Keg beer into Canada- Quote from border agent ‘What do you mean you have one big can of beer? Pull over there’
No smart ass remarks Example:
Are you bringing more the 10k$ into Canada? response Do we look like we have 10K$
Are you going to leave anything in Canada? – response – A few turds

Thats funny Fish. Dont think any of the border agents for Canada or the United States are paid for their sense of humor. Seems to me getting into Canada can be easier than getting back into the states. My last time coming back across made the mistake of answering no to the question of did I have any produce with. Then she found a banana in my cooler. Holly crap. Vehicle search, meeting with the AG inspector. Lectured on produce smuggling into the US. The entire time this was going on I had the feeling a bunch of border agents where watching this go down and having a fantastic laugh over it.