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Posts: 723
| How many of you have dui's or fellonies or should I say "people you know" have these, and still go to canada? My main reason is my buddy has a DUI about 3 yrs old, and a fellony from a long time ago, Just wondering if its possible for him to cross the border or is he gonna get fingered and sent home. He has gone through before to walleye lakes, but rolls with a cop, so hes never gotten checked. Im just thinking two younger dudes like us, they main yank us over, and well, then IM gonna be mad.
Any thoughts, |
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Location: The desert | Best bet is to probably contact the Border patrol people. Ask them what needs to be done to ensure crossing.
Mike |
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Location: searchin for 50 | Check out this website www.infonorth.net
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Location: Athens, Ohio | There are threads about this topic on this board and otehrs, check the archives.
From what I understand, your buddy fills out a form and sends it and about $500 bucks to the Ministry to demonstrate he has rehabilitated himself. One guy I know went across the border twice in one summer and had to pay and form both times.
As I say, there are threads with links to Canadian websites that explain the process. Do it early. Also, I think this is the last year you all can cross and re-enter without a passport. m |
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| If he was a passenger, I would not think it would be a problem. If he was driving his own vehicle, I'm told your license plate is run by the time you get to the window, so they'd probably know. I've been asked if I had ground beef, tobacco, potatoes, and alcohol, and the last two years, even had to pay a tax on gas we bought in the US earlier that day. Luckily I have a clean record. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | The honest answer is there is no way to tell. I had a buddy last year with me who had a DUI within the past year and a half. We knew the risks beforehand....We got up there, it was my vehicle, and of course we get stopped. They check our ids and I am thinking our trip is over...10 Mins later they come back hand us our IDS and tell us to have a great trip...I have heard both success and horror stories on this topic. I think a lot of it depends on the person who is handling you, it really is at their discression. |
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| safest bet is to get a pardon before you go.
process takes awhile and is somewhat involved. one time fee of $200 means no more hassle or paying at the border each time.
More details on inadmissibility can be obtained at the following link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/inadmissibility.html
Information on overcoming inadmissibility can be viewed at:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/conviction.html
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| thanks guys, I appreciate it. so will my buddy!  |
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Posts: 381
| Here is what you need.
http://www.permitme.com/nonres_canadianfishing_form.htm
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Location: Algonquin, ILL | I wonder if all of this Pardon BS will go away in 2008 when a Passport will be required to cross the Border
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| As I understood it, the Passport would be required to get back into the US. They will not be required to get into Canada. Am I right or wrong on this? |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | you are correct, the passport is for US purposes and has nothing to do with Canadian law for entry into their country |
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Location: Michigan | You have to remember DUI is taken extremely serious in Canada, get one and it is a criminal Felony offense. The Canadian government deems individuals entering their borders with DUI on their records as "undesireable's".
Jason |
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| more helpful info from the WI attorney general:
http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/forms/brochures/canada.pdf |
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Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Slimeball....if somebody didn't get an OWI while in Canada, why should they care? I could see a country wanting to keep people out who had offenses like kidnapping, drug trafficing, money laundering and offenses that delt with transport or were against that country, but geees, an OWI? and I see you have to prove you've been rehabilitated??...Cmon, this is just another way of collecting more money from folks who want to cross the boarder. They know we drink, they know that in a truck load of fishermen (who are probally thier biggest visitors) there's going to be 1 or 2 who have OWI offenses....its a joke. |
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| GMG,
It is a different country...you play by their rules. Simple enough. To them an OWI or DUI is a big deal...as well it should be.
Just my .02.
JJ |
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Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Another guest comment?....cmon JJ...become a law abiding poster. You do that and I promise not to be drinking a fifth of Southern Comfort while driving across the boarder. |
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | Gander Mt Guide - 4/13/2006 2:08 PM
Slimeball....if somebody didn't get an OWI while in Canada, why should they care? I could see a country wanting to keep people out who had offenses like kidnapping, drug trafficing, money laundering and offenses that delt with transport or were against that country, but geees, an OWI? and I see you have to prove you've been rehabilitated??...Cmon, this is just another way of collecting more money from folks who want to cross the boarder. They know we drink, they know that in a truck load of fishermen (who are probally thier biggest visitors) there's going to be 1 or 2 who have OWI offenses....its a joke.
GMG,
I think you somehow got the impression that im taking sides by my previous post. I was simply stating that DUI's/OUI/OWI"s are taken very seriously in Canada and other countries. OK?
Jason |
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Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Cool beans man, understood. |
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Location: se wi | I have a friend who has crossed the border every year for the past 8 or 9 years. He has 2 DUI's. It's always a nerve racking deal wondering if we will get across or not. Luckily we have never had our ID's checked. We have been pulled over and inspected. Another friend has also crossed with a DUI, had his license checked and got through just fine, no questions asked. If I was going to a resort where we has money down I don't think i would roll the dice like we have been, but we have just been getting a campsite when we roll in. If they don't let us through we will just fish Minnesota. We have never taken the vehicle of one of the DUI guys through due to the license plate running stories. |
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| Got checked last year the guy from immigration took our Id's and checked and came back we paid the duty on the booze we had and we were on our way. Two of the 4 had DUI convictions and nothing was said. I think they run you through the NCIC to see about arrests and convictions. Another friend had an arrest for DUI but was found innocent in court and they ran him and he had to pay the $200.00 and they let him thru. Go figure. |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | "They know we drink, they know that in a truck load of fishermen (who are probally thier biggest visitors) there's going to be 1 or 2 who have OWI offenses....its a joke."
There is no joke when it comes to DUI. It is an offense too often excused or made light of, as you seem to be doing. Look at the statistics of vehicular death and the relationship to alcohol. If you would like to count all the deaths caused by driving while under the influence and all deaths caused by homicide, I think you might begin to understand the Canadian position. A person who drinks and drives IS a danger to all around them. I wish the USA would adopt the Canadian practice of considering a DUI a felony. Here are some facts you may want to look at about alcohol related vehicle deaths:
During 2004, 16,694 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, representing 39% of all traffic-related deaths (NHTSA 2005).
In 2004, about 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (Department of Justice, 2004). That’s less than one percent of the 159 million self-reported episodes of alcohol–impaired driving among U.S. adults each year (Quinlan et al. 2005).
In the year 2004 there were 16,167 murders commited in the USA. There were more deaths caused by alcohol related vehicle crashes (16,694) than there were murders. And you wonder why Canada elects to not admit convicted druken drivers? The best indicator of future acts is the history of past acts.
Please take these facts seriously. This is an epidemic problem and we should approach it with clear purpose.
Edited by rpieske 4/13/2006 5:10 PM
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| rpieske as posted above is right f'n on. Totally and true. Our lack ethical behavior is a reflection our ignorance, poor personal discipline and dismal respect for the safety of others. But hey, we voted George W as the pres TWICE so what's the norm today in America? We just don't give a shoot about anybody but ME ME ME. And right now, too. So, stay away from my money and I'll have a double Turkey on ice. To go, dammit. If Canada don't like it, well, we just won't send our jobs there. |
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Posts: 244
Location: Mallard Island Lake Vermilion MN | NO JOKE indeed!
To many good people killed by drunks.
To many good drunks kill themselfs.
I say hoorah for CANADA!
This offence is taken way to lightly in this country.
Nothing less than Manslaughter to me!
SIX people very close to me have DIED due to drunks and one because he made a very bad choice alone one night on a wooded road up da falls.
BANG DEAD.
What a watse.
Last fall a neighboor was killed by two drunks on hwy 8 at 3 PM.
She left kids 15, 8, 4.
A husband Bill, who could not handle this and blew the top of his head off Christams Eve.
: (
What a waste.
Next time you see soomeone or YOU yourself feel like driving DRUNK.
Maybe think about the damage a split second can do.
The person you plow into might make it but be crippled for life.
You might be crippled to.
The expesence has nothing to do with this.
Think about the toll this takes on EVERYONE.
The person you kill might be your own Mom, Dad, Ganma or Pa?
Maybe even your 16 year old kid?
Your best fishen buddy or ME!
Sad to see the time wasted trying to figure out how to get INTO Canada after the fact.
When in reality their would not be a need for a post like this if everyone would think first, react, STOP drunks.
What a waste.
PLEASE THINK before you turn that key.
Booze and driving don't jive.
No car, no truck, no motor bike or boat is safe DRUNK.
Think about it.
Then help prevent it.
BEFORE something horriable happens to you, me or the poeple down the way.
I have heard all my 50 years that "We only get one shot at life".
Dead is after all FOREVER!
None of the people I have known, not a one, that have left this place be it here in the USA or in Canada have yet to come back an tell me that this statement above is any different.
Make the right choice, PLEASE!!!
Tom Wehler
Edited by KidDerringer 4/13/2006 6:44 PM
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Posts: 332
Location: Michigan | Well said. Lets all have a safe and productive season!
Jason
Edited by Slimeball 4/13/2006 5:58 PM
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| There are people who are denied entry outright. Taking extra money to the border may not be good enough.
Also, it's been said that the average loss per resort is around $6000.00/year, as some people refuse to pay ANY money to get accross. They simply say "screw it", and stay on this side, out of principle.
Personally, I don't drink, and don't have to worry about it, but I feel we all make mistakes. To me, if you did your crime here, and paid the penance for that crime, you should be given a clean slate, and not have to pay the price for it ten years later. Actually, I've heard of them going back up to 15 years. Don't know if that's true though.
Good luck to all who are heading north.
Edited by Derrys 4/13/2006 9:25 PM
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Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | Derrys - 4/13/2006 9:24 PM
To me, if you did your crime here, and paid the penance for that crime, you should be given a clean slate, and not have to pay the price for it ten years later. Actually, I've heard of them going back up to 15 years. Don't know if that's true though.
There are avenues available for entry into Canada for those who have been rehabilitated. You don't just pay your money and then cross on over. You have to satisfy the Canadian government that the likelihood of your drinking and driving are remote. With the rate of recidivism on DUI being as high as it is, why should the Canadian government, who is pledged to protecting their citizens, allow entry to those who by their behavior endanger those same citizens. I think the Canadian policy is fair, just and sensible. After the offender has proven, over a reasonable period of time, that they no longer remain a threat on the roads to other drivers they can receive pardon or proof of rehabilitation, and after paying a reasonable fee to cover the Canadian expense of research and administrative costs be allowed into Canada. Since the USA treats DUI as a misdemeanor with little punishment except a fine and maybe a driving school to attend, or the ability to have your lawyer plea it down to a reckless driving charge, I side with the Canadians on this issue.
Edited by rpieske 4/16/2006 8:22 AM
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I personally think you should be allowed one free pass, anything over once then enforce this. I say this because I have too many friends who are good people that made this mistake one time...learned from it and will never do it again.
If I had lost a friend or family member to another drunk driver ( which I have not) then I can say certainly I would feel differently and would have no sympathy for anyone with a DUI, So I can completely understand. |
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| I just think you should be given the benefit of the doubt. If you committed the crime here, and paid the price for it here, that should be the end of it. Why should you have to pay $200-$800 ten years later? They say it's costing Canada 4 million dollars a year by doing this, as a lot of people will NOT pay, and come back to the US. Anyway, we can't all agree on everything, and I accept that. I gave my opinion, and I'm sure it differes from other people's. That's just life.
Good fishing everyone. |
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| SAD but true many die from dui drivers and criminals. if you live in the u.s.a. would you want felons and criminals allowed into your neighborhood.. stay clean and no problems. as for the post of lodges losing money. i think the priciple of putting human life before bucks, is a little more valid |
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Posts: 1189
Location: Bagley,MN 56621 | I'd like to add a little here, not with the DUI issue, but with the border crossing and passport/birth cert requirements for both the U.S. and canada.
My girlfriend Julie and I went to Niagara Falls, then on to Rochester N.Y. to visit the folks for Easter. We left at around noon thursday, drove straight through crossing into Canada at Port Huron (michigan) at about 4:00AM fri morning. I have been to Canada mamy many times, not so in the last 2 years but before that never even needed an I.D. Seeing this thread I was interested to see the 2007 passport requireemnt, i neglected to bring mine thinking it hasnt hit yet and in the past I never even showed an I.D., just told them my citizenship So, we pull up to the custom's booth.......................
"show me your documentation"
me: hands him both mine and Julie's Minn drivers license
"whats this? I'm not a cop, I could care less about your driving record, prove to me your citizenship"
me: I can't, thats all I have
"do you realize you drove into another country,?" You are in CANADA now you know that?
me: yes
"prove to me where you were born with either a passport or birth certificate""
me: I'm sorry I cant, my drivers license is all I have
"I'm not a cop, I sit in this box monitoring those who enter this country, are you aware you are in another country?"
me: yes
"YOU need to take ownership and responsibility about entering into another country, YOu should have checked into our crossing regulations before you started your vacation."
me: blank stare
"Do you want me to ruin your vacation by holding you 2 in an immigration hearing (as he points to the big block building just through the "box")"
me: silence
anyways............, this went on for another 3-4 minutes when he finally asked if I had any weapons, when I said no, he says........."I'll let you go...TODAY"
OK, now its sat noon and we are crossing from canada to N.Y. over the Lewiston bridge thinking oh great what are we going to encounter here, the U.S. is supposed to be much more strict.
pulled up to booth...
was asked citizenship, what did we do in Canada, anything to declare.............HAVE A NICE DAY!!
never asked for an I.D. or anything, took 12 seconds
granted the Lewiston bridge was backed up for an hour,bumper to bumper, but the whole border crossing experience was opposite. Getting into the U.S. was much easier tha getting into Canada.
maybe the border crossigns will be smoother for I'falls and other "northern" Canada fishing locations due to the natures of most crossers visits..........or maybe they just might hire another poor sap that was the last to get picked in gym class.......................
needless to say, we took the state view all the way home, didnt go back through Canada. |
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Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | Greg:
You have a gift for humor! I laughed throughout your sad tale.....(sorry). I have been crossing the Canadian border for 53 years. Only one time did I have an experience like yours. Not bad considering how many jerks there are in the world. Give some people a little power and they become a martinette. Good thing there are not many findyourpeepeewithatweezer types in the world. Thanks for the laughs. |
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Location: So. Illinois | I don't comment on topics like this often but the short answer (and correct answer is) drinking and driving is a "crime" and not a "mistake". You shouldn't have to be a victum of a drunken driver to understand this. Canada has the right and obligation to protect their citizens and deny anyone entrance who does not obey the law. Paying the excess money to enter Canada with a record is a real bitch but imagine what a bitch it would be if you lost a loved one to a drunken driver.......... As a military member, I've had to sit through two trials (courts martials) where the accused had killed someone because they chose to drive after drinking. I'll never forget the pain the family had to endure listening to the defense attorney explain that the accused was a great guy and that he had made a mistake and that his career should be spared and that they not receive any punishment. The willful act of drinking and driving is a crime and nothing else and should not be explained away, softened, or categorized in any other matter -- even if the drunk driver is a friend or family member......... |
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Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | I agree that OWI is a serious offense and if the perpetrator is punished and served thier punishment WHERE the offense happend, it's a done deal. Does Canada deport people with an OWI? The notion of the crossing fee tells me that an OWI is just another way for Canada to make money. Where do 99% of the tourists go? Lake resorts where they'll be on vacation right? They aren't driving around jeapordizing people with their single 10 year old OWI conviction. They allow booze to drive in across the boarder right? If they're that concerned about drinking and driving why do they allow alcohol in a vehicle crossing the boarder?
Maybe there ought to be a rule...if you're a convicted OWI person, you're not allowed to have alcohol in your vehicle...that's more fitting than not allowing a 1 time 10 year ago offender across the boarder.
Edited by Gander Mt Guide 4/17/2006 3:24 PM
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| Gander MT. Guide hit the nail on the head, in my opinion. If you've committed no crime IN Canada, why should you have to pay a penalty? Personally, I don't drink, and I think this is ridiculous. There are well over 100 residents of Minnesota who have 20 or more DUI convictions. If people want to drink, they're gonna drink, even though they're paying the money at the border and saying they won't. I bet they even let those people bring alcohol accross.
All I'm saying, is that if I am dumb enough to commit some crime, I'd gladly pay the price for doing so. I would not feel justice was served if someone years later said that the time I served, or the fine I paid now wasn't good enough.
Good fishing everyone. |
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Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Eh, Just felt like saying the corss into US is absolutely no picnic. Last year we were stopped twice coming back in, with both times resulting in a very slow moving and tiring process. We did get searched by the Canadians once out of 3 times last year, but it was very quick and they werent rampaging through our things like the guys at Intl. Falls... |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | John and Brad:
I kind of get the feeling that you are both saying, "Don't confuse me with the facts...my mind is made up!" I wish you would read my posts concerning this matter again. No one is talking about a 1 time offender 10 years ago. There is an easy fix for those people. And the Canadian government is certainly not saying, "Just give me enough money and you can come across."
I would venture to say that Canada would most certainly deport convicted felons who are not citizens of Canada. We sure do in the United States. And In Canada....DUI is a felony.
There is no law in Canada against transporting alcohol in your vehicle in a closed container. The law is pretty must like the open container law in the USA. Their DUI laws, like most in the USA, are aimed at blood alcohol levels, not whether the person has had a couple of drinks.
Your point about if you have satisfied the law in your country and did the time, you should not have it counted against you in another country, is rather flawed. Following your logic, if an Islamic man killed his daughter for disrespecting him and bringing shame on the family in an Arabic country and received little or no punishment for that frequent occurence, we should follow your idea and let him come into our country because what he did in his country was not illegal. I know it's not the same thing, but the logic IS the same.
Let's say my son borrows my car, goes out drinking and has a wreck. I ground him for a month. After the month is over, do you expect me to throw him the keys to my car and pretend it never happened? Not likely. He would have to prove to me over an extended time that he is trustworthy before I would turn him lose with the car again. I think this is exactly what the Canadian government is doing through their Rehabilitation program and their Pardon program. Some mistakes you make are going to cost you for a long time. It's their country, their people they are trying to protect and their decision. It wasn't their mistake that started this whole process. All choices have consequences...some good...some bad. But we all need to take responsibility for those decisions and live with the consequences...and IMPROVE the choices we make.
If 2 or 3 of the people in your truckload crossing into Canada have DUI's on their record, I can only assume that they are fellow members of an AA group, or I question your choice in friends. I am not trying to attack anyone, only point out that you can pretty well tell about a person by the company he keeps. I have about 20 friends who come up during summers to fish with me on LOTW, we all like to drink and have a good time, but not one of them has ever had a DUI. Lucky??? Maybe so. But part of that is the maturity to recognize when you are not fit to drive. I just hope everyone out there, me included, will exercise the maturity needed to protect themselves, their passengers and other drivers from driving drunk.
Edited by rpieske 4/19/2006 4:44 PM
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| it's an individual's choice to drink and drive.
it's society's choice to decide what the consequences are.
it's an individual's choice to visit Canada or not.
it's Canada's choice to decide what the conditions are.
visiting Canada is a priviledge they give, it is not a right.
like it or not, limitations on that priviledge are part of the consequences for choosing to drink and drive. |
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| I think I see your point Bob. As I said earlier, I myself do not drink, so I have never worried about it. And I truly feel that anyone who really wants to drink up there while they're on vacation, will do so, even after paying the money and such. I'll find out how it is next September when I'm on the LOTW. Thanks for your post. |
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| Never mind
Edited by pete_k 4/17/2006 9:49 PM
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Posts: 696
Location: Northern Illinois | Last year was the 2nd year I've been to Canada. We took 2 vehicles to pull the 2 boats up. My Dad and his buddy were in my Dad's car and my Uncle and me were in his. My Dad goes through the check after about 3-4 minutes. It gets to us and he ask for a valid I.D. We give him our licenses. He then asks, "Do you guys have any alcohol that were bringing into the country. We tell him no and he said he wants to take a look. He opens our cooler up and finds 2 beers in it. Apparently my Dad remembered he put them in there and told the guy that we didn't know we had them. The guard gave us a hard time and then started laughing. Talk about a scary situation for a minute! |
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Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Maybe because a single OWI here is commonplace (not with me), we just accept it more than Canada does. Obviously this is the case with OWI being a fellony. We could debate logic and principal until we're blue in the face (or fingers in this case), but we're still going to come to a dead end..that being. Its Canada's rules, its thier country and we're not going to change it, so either live with it or not. I'm heading up to Canada for both work and a research project next summer and thank God I'm not going to have to worry about this mess.
Good luck to everybody who's made a mistake, learned and is trying to cross the boarder. |
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| Well guys im sure glad many see the reasoning. U.S.citizens have always been welcome into CANADA. With the many sportsmen and woman to come and enjoy. laws protect all visitors and canadian citizens. now lets all go get some fishing done EH |
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Border crossing