Going to Canada? Check your past.

[brtlmj 0]

Like I said, I can travel freely within the "lower 48" states -- no "check points", no "thorough searches".

Have you ever driven between Nevada and California?

Bartek

[beameup 0]

That's AGRICULTURE - California accounts for 20+ % of the U.S. Agriculture.

They ask you if you have any fresh fruit going into California.

I'm not interested in getting caught in a pizzing contest between Canada and the U.S.

As far as I'm concerned they can just build a wall and shut the *%#@ border down.

Viva La Mexico! It's a great place to vacation and they don't have their panties in a bind like the Canadian border guards.

Like I said, my "uncomfortable" experience was 10 years ago and I can already see that the situation is getting worse.

Who needs that kind of B.S.? - Like "you were caught in possession of marijuana in 1973" so you can't come to Canada.

Like I said, I can travel freely within the "lower 48" states -- no "check points", no "thorough searches".

Have you ever driven between Nevada and California?

Bartek

[DeadPoolX 9]

Hmmm...this thread went crazy pretty quickly.

I posted this thread because I was surprised (not angry) at the recent changes in Canadian security. I realize Canada has a right and the duty to protect itself and its citizens. I also realize that no one, including Americans, have the God-given right to enter it's borders, or the borders of any foreign country.

What Reba said was correct -- the U.S. government forced Canada into this position. In fact, if I have my history correct, one of the main reasons Canada even developed a passport (in the form of a "Letter of Request" from the Governor-General) in the first place was due to the United States. It was during the American Civil War in 1862, and the U.S. demanded more secure identification for Canadians wishing to cross the border. The first true Canadian passport, however, was created in 1915, modeled after the British format in a ten section single sheet folder. The modern Canadian passport was first issued in 1921.

I suppose what alarmed me about the whole situation in the article is...what exactly constitutes a "crime" according to Canada? I know what major offenses are, obviously, but which minor offenses are considered criminal acts? From the looks of it, possession of an illegal substance is one.

Are speeding/parking tickets another? If it is, then I might be in trouble. As I wrote before (much earlier in this thread), I once received a speeding ticket back in high school; however, that was most likely before I turned eighteen, so I was still a minor. Although, I can't imagine speeding/parking tickets would be enough to keep someone out of Canada (or the U.S.), because those really are trivial offenses. That's what I'm hoping anyway.

[brtlmj 0]

That's AGRICULTURE - California accounts for 20+ % of the U.S. Agriculture.

They ask you if you have any fresh fruit going into California.

Yep, and that IS a checkpoint. Your vehicle may be searched there.

Bartek

[Flames9_RN 359]

Beameups responses make me laugh, and glad he stays south of the Cdn border. Been to Mexico on many occasions, nice country and people. Hopefully one doesn't have to deal with their police force!! You complain about getting your car searched at the Cdn border, i have witnness far worse by mexican police, which usually evolves many scare tactics, and ones wallet containing a lot less cash!!! Yes not all police there are crooked. Did this stop me from going back to Mexico, no.

[beameup 0]

Happy to make you laugh.

Personally I go where I'm welcome. I have no interest in going where I am not welcome.

I have many relatives within 30 minutes drive of Canada and they AVOID Canada due to the hassles - as do most Washingtonians - ("the word is out"). There really is nothing there anyway that cannot be found in the N.W. U.S.

I have been going to Mexico since the late 1950's. Never had any sort of problem in 1000+ trips. Mexico is a 1 hour drive South. A lot of Southern Californians go down "just for the day". Tijuana is the most traveled border-crossing IN THE WORLD.

Most people I have known over the years share the same positive experience with Mexico - it's a fun place.

The Tourist Department has offices throughout Mexico to assist travelers and prevent scammers from hasseling you - they do an excellent job of protecting tourists because Mexico WANTS tourist DOLLARS.

As for S.E. Asia, I would say that it is very similar to Mexico. Poorer countries really want your tourist dollars. You can get scammed by taxi drivers in the Philippines, but that is "a different story". Being rude to police will get you in trouble.

Beameups responses make me laugh, and glad he stays south of the Cdn border. Been to Mexico on many occasions, nice country and people. Hopefully one doesn't have to deal with their police force!! You complain about getting your car searched at the Cdn border, i have witnness far worse by mexican police, which usually evolves many scare tactics, and ones wallet containing a lot less cash!!! Yes not all police there are crooked. Did this stop me from going back to Mexico, no.

[Flames9_RN 359]

One doesnt have to be rude to get into trouble with Mexican police!! Was just a short while back I belive where all police officers in the Tijuana area had to turn in their weapons because of corruption!! I served in the Canadian Military and been all around the world and had a great time and quite gratious to be invited into those countries and I'm never rude.

[beameup 0]

Perhaps you are not a regular visitor to Tijuana?

The people who live near the border invariably completely bypass Tijuana entirely by taking the freeway just inside the border which skirts the border fence and heads straight for the Pacific Coast. Once on the Coast Highway, it is a quick trip to Ensenada and Rosarita. Many Americans live along this coastline in condos. There are several excellent golf courses as well.

All of this is less than 1 hour from San Diego by freeway (3 toll stops). You will have absolutely no problems along the coast and can keep going all the way through San Quintin to Gurrero Negro where the lagoon is located where the California Grey Whales give birth.

The main shopping area in Tijuana also is a very good place to do some shopping and eating during the day.

Many Americans go there strictly for the Prescription medications, dental work and some surgical procedures.

Like any big city, it has its more risky areas - especially at night - this is undoubtedly what you are referring to concerning the renegade "police" and police impostors. This is where the teenagers and U.S. military get into trouble.

I have "talked myself out of" several traffic citations simply by apologizing and being polite to the policeman - have respect and don't act like an arrogant American and you will have no problems in Mexico. Smile and use a little Spanish.

Adios Amigo!

One doesnt have to be rude to get into trouble with Mexican police!! Was just a short while back I belive where all police officers in the Tijuana area had to turn in their weapons because of corruption!! I served in the Canadian Military and been all around the world and had a great time and quite gratious to be invited into those countries and I'm never rude.

[Reba 2]

Are speeding/parking tickets another? If it is, then I might be in trouble. As I wrote before (much earlier in this thread), I once received a speeding ticket back in high school; however, that was most likely before I turned eighteen, so I was still a minor. Although, I can't imagine speeding/parking tickets would be enough to keep someone out of Canada (or the U.S.), because those really are trivial offenses. That's what I'm hoping anyway.

Unless the speeding ticket resulted in the loss of your driver's license no. Unless the parking tickets go un-paid and the local constabulary puts out an arrest warrent for you, no. Traffic tickets don't generally result in a permanent record. Heck, in Canada you can pay your tickets at any bank branch, and don't need to go to driving school after you get a speeding ticket

What they're concerned of primarily is the same thing the US government is concerned with. DWI/DUI is a serious crime in Canada, it is looked upon similarly as attempted assault or attempted murder. If you drive drunk, you are endangering other people's lives. A DWI/DUI record in either country will make you inadmissable to the other.

A criminal theft charge makes you inadmissable because no one likes a thief. And this goes both ways, for Americans travelling to Canada and Canadians going to the US.

Same goes for drugs charges either way, assault charges, and any other menace to society, or charge of moral terpitude type charge.

All of which of course can be overcome if you want to. If the charge was enough years ago (more than 10 I think) and you have not re-offended, you can just make a trip to the nearest Canada consulate and plead your case. You'll need to take your court documents and likely affidavits from upstanding citizens who will state that you have done your time and you're now rehabilitated. And they'll either deny you, or put a note on your record that you're rehabilitated and now welcome into Canada.

If the charge was less than 5 years, you would need to do a whole whack of paperwork and wait and wait and wait.

I've recently glanced over the new procedures for pleading your case if the charges are older than 10 years and it seems fairly simple, and I intend to drag my husband to Atlanta this Spring so that we can get him admissable to Canada. My Mum's 60th birthday is this summer, and I'd like him to be able to be there.

If you have no want, need or desire to visit Canada, fine, then leave it just the way it is. But as I stated earlier in the thread, soon it won't just be Canada you can't visit. It'll be the rest of the world. Because *everyone* will be sharing all of this information soon, and any charges you have on your record that make you inadmissable to Canada now, will soon make you inadmissable to any other country who the US will be sharing info with.

[derekkj 0]

Happy to make you laugh.

Personally I go where I'm welcome. I have no interest in going where I am not welcome.

I have many relatives within 30 minutes drive of Canada and they AVOID Canada due to the hassles - as do most Washingtonians - ("the word is out").

Huh, I guess a different "word is out" in Vermont. I too have many relatives and friends who live a short drive from the border and they love going to Canada. And none of them (or me and my husband for that matter) have ever had any problem. Maybe it's just you and yours.

Beameups responses make me laugh, and glad he stays south of the Cdn border.

Agreed, lol.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Unless the speeding ticket resulted in the loss of your driver's license no. Unless the parking tickets go un-paid and the local constabulary puts out an arrest warrent for you, no. Traffic tickets don't generally result in a permanent record. Heck, in Canada you can pay your tickets at any bank branch, and don't need to go to driving school after you get a speeding ticket

Okay, then I'm good to go! Thanks for the information.

The speeding ticket didn't even go on my record, as far as I know, since I was able to opt for a "defensive driving" class instead of paying the ticket. Still, you never know just what is written there when the Customs & Immigration officials are looking at their computers, so I suppose that's why I was a bit worried.

At any rate, it's good to know I'm not a criminal.

[bucknekkid 0]

While we're on the topic...Are USC's now required to have a Passport when driving back and forth from the US and Canada?

[DeadPoolX 9]

As far as I know, all USCs will need passports for land, air and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by January 1, 2008.

On January 23, 2007, passports were made required for strictly air travel between Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

[Marilyn. 340]

While we're on the topic...Are USC's now required to have a Passport when driving back and forth from the US and Canada?

not yet... i think that comes into effect somtime next year....

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Edited March 1, 2007 by MarilynP

[bucknekkid 0]

While we're on the topic...Are USC's now required to have a Passport when driving back and forth from the US and Canada?

not yet... i think that comes into effect somtime next year....

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Thanks...