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Posts: 5
| I'm sure this has been talked about before, but now it affects a trip I am going on so I will ask it. I invited a guy along to Canada this year and he had a drunk driving charge about 7 years ago. Anyone know what we have to do or if they will let him across?
Todd Radtke |
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Posts: 22
Location: Lower Manitou Lake, Ont. | When the charge is 5-10 years old the border usually lets you pay a $200 rehabilitaion fee and then lets you through. It is up to their discretion or not to let him in, so it is best to be calm and cool when dealing with the immigration officer. I would have your guy call the Fort Frances customs and try to talk to an immigration agent to see if there is anything else he needs to do other than just show up. 807-274-3655 |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I don't remember the last time I crossed the border without the agent asking for everyone's ID or passport. People get delayed or denied at the border all the time for prior DUI convictions - it isn't worth the hassle to not find out how to legally cross the border with a prior DUI.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-c49436/Canada:Dwi.Or.Dui....
Sorry if I was not supposed to put a link on here. |
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Posts: 3157
| couple years back I bought a new walet,,I had to clip one corner of my drivers license a little to make it fit in the walet pocket.. When I went to Canada border crossing they asked me for my License,,,after a while they told us to pull over to the side and wait,,,,they then had me come into a room in the station and gave me the third degree for 15 minutes asking "Do you have a DUI,,Have you had a DUI!!! are you sure you dont have a DUI!!!,,,Ive never had a DUI in my life,,,However what I didnt know is sometimes when you do have a conviction they clip a corner of your license,,,The Canada border crossing station was SO worried that all thier fancy data base stuff might have a glitch and they might let someone slip in.
I agree get a "for sure' solution to crossing the border before you go
Edited by happy hooker 4/1/2009 9:26 AM
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Location: Sawyer County, WI |
Amazing. Not so much that Canada denies entry, but rather that people choose to drive impaired. The county in Wisconsin where I fish leads the state in DUI/OWI convictions per 10K residents. Pretty darn sad. Needless to say, we stay off the roads at night. We prefer enjoying a few cocktails while kicking back at the cabin. Then the most dangerous journey is up the stairs to the loft when it's time to get some sleep.
Be careful out there folks ! |
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Posts: 193
Location: Mayer, MN | Drunk driving and going to Canada, I would suggest against it. 
Oh you mean a prior conviction. 
Don't worry, this seems to come up on every message board every year. I would suggest your friend do everything in his power to clear the air before leaving or tell him to be prepared to have a back up plan when he gets denied and the rest of the fishing party rolls into Canada. |
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Posts: 193
Location: Mayer, MN | happy hooker,
I just had my MN license clipped while waiting on my renewed MN license couple weeks ago. This was done by the license branch in Glencoe. If I remember right I needed to carry my Temporary license and my clipped license together. If that was the case I could see some questioning.
Jason |
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| I can tell you first hand on a few things about the border.
1. If your crossing by Windsor, or the falls they will not mess with you as much, why?, because they know you are spending your money there. True.
2. If you plan on warroad or anywhere west, they will totally mess with you everytime, and yes if you have a DUI you wont be getting in without getting a rehab cert done. hopefully you are planning staying somewhere by the NW angle or in MN. I have a guy that will drive you via boat to get to the NW angle. Not cheap! Alone -$300. He will take up to 4-6 people which that $300 will be split, not per person, unless you have nobody going over with you. Its not just DUI, assult and battery is also a BIG no-no, I didnt get that either when their "Sport"' hockey is all about being tough.
I learned the hard way and had to drive back into town and took a boat ride to the NW angle. They messed with me for about 2-3 hours. I also had a special cigerette that got me double trouble. Needless to say I dont bother crossing now. |
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Posts: 439
Location: Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ontario | This issue is a huge pain in the butt for everyone involved. I have spoken with numerous border officers and immigration officials over the years so hopefully I can offer some useful information.
One DUI can easily be overcome with time. After 5 years, if you can prove you are a solid citizen (maybe get a reference from a sherriff's office for example), there is a good chance you can get approved for the permit to enter. Taking care of it and having approval ahead of time is the best way to go. Most of the time, you should be able to enter one time by paying the TRP fee at the border, but after that you are expected to take care of it before hand. The problem is there is too much discretion involved and it's up to officers and immigration. Humility and manners will be your best shot, but won't always help if you get a jerk. After 10 years, you are considered to be "deemed rehabilitated" and should breeze through without paperwork. With no other blemishes on your record, a 10 year old DUI or other conviction that would be punishable by less than 10 years in Canada, you CANNOT be turned away. You are considered rehabbed by statute.
The thing to remember is that it is the time elapsed since the sentence was completed that is important, including any probation period associated with getting your license back. Often times, it's quite different from the date of charge or original conviction. The other big problem is any other charge of any kind. D&D, jay walking, shoplifting a loaf of bread to feed your kids, etc causes the above guidelines to become moot. You are then going to have to apply for deemed rehabilitation.
I would not suggest calling immigration anymore. It appears the company line is now to tell EVERYONE to apply ahead of time regardless of when the charge occurred. One of our potential guests had one charge only from the early 90's and they told him to apply for the permit. It isn't even needed in that situation, but that is what they will tell you on the phone now it seems. There are a couple of things I would advise if someone wants to cover their bases in a situation like that. They seem silly and unnecessary, but if you really want to come to (or through) Canada, they aren't hard to get done before a trip.
People make mistakes. The system is supposed to forgive one foolish mistake, but it does take some time and planning to overcome. The real problem is when those that should be let through, get turned away because of discretion. That has got to stop.
PMs and emails welcome anytime on this subject. |
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| I crossed the border into Canada two weeks ago on my trip to Lake Winnipeg. We crossed into Canada at the MN/ND border. Can't remember what town exactly, but possibly Emerson? Anyways, no issues there. We went through so fast it didn't even seem like they looked up our records, but maybe they are just that good. Gave them are licenses and birth certificates and they asked a couple of questions and we were on our way. Took about 2 minutes. I think starting soon you have to have a passport to get into Canada, so make sure you get one ahead of time. Again crossing the border to go home was a breeze. However, I believe they looked up our records that time and they asked a few questions and we were on our way. Took about 3 minutes.
Edited by Baby Mallard 4/1/2009 7:18 PM
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | Baby Mallard - I am pretty sure that when you handed them your licenses they looked up your records. And you don't need a passport to go to Canada - you need one to get home. I know that Canada will not let you in if they know that the US won't let you back bt technically that is a US requirement - not Canada. |
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Posts: 484
Location: St. Louis, MO., Marco Is., FL, Nestor Falls, ON | That has changed:
Updated February 2009-
Bottom line: As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country that comes to Canada by air, land and sea needs a passport or equivalent travel document. (Some exceptions apply to children's passport requirements)
Before June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens do not necessarily need a passport entering Canada by land or sea, but need valid ID that proves identity and citizenship.
Currently, everyone arriving in Canada by air needs a passport or equivalent travel document, such as a NEXUS Card.
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Posts: 1270
| I don't understand people having constant problems crossing into Canada. I go into Canada once or twice a year and have never had any issue. I always get the ussual questions about how long I'm staying and what I'm bringing in, etc. but it takes 5 minutes max each time. If you are getting hasseled everytime maybe you need to re-think your appearence when crossing the border or something. Take the cover off your boat, take your sunglasses off, roll all your windows down, etc. and expect a quick entry into Canada. |
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Posts: 335
Location: Minnesota | I didn't realize that Parliament passed the requirement of a passport for a US citizen to enter Canada by car. I thought that was just policy effective in June to ensure that no US residents get stuck in Canada because the US wouldn't let them back in without a passport. Either way it doesn't matter, you still need a passport, Nexus card, or the other cheaper passport card.
Since 911, I have been pulled aside about 4 times for the "random" searches. One agent told me that some days they have to pull over every 15th car or whatever the number is for that crossing on that day. I grew up within 25 miles of the border and crossed quite frequently, I still live fairly close and cross a few times a year - It never was a hassle until after 911. The good thing is like others have said - even if you get pulled aside it usually only means an extra 10-15 minutes as they politely go through your cooler and other obvious big containers and as long as you are polite and answer the questions they are pretty quick to get you on your way. Twice now I have been let through quicker than I thought I would because they opened a tackle box and saw all of the musky baits - they knew then that we weren't doing anything but going fishing so they don't even bother looking anywhere else. |
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Posts: 315
| now is it only a problem if the person that got the DWI is driving into Canada? my brother got a DWI probably 6-7 years ago, he is a passenger in the car but we go through everytime no problems what so ever. they check all of our ID's and send us right through. just curious
-b- |
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| is it only a problem if the person that got the DWI is driving into Canada?
it applies to anyone entering Canada, whether they are driving at the time or not.
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| Its where you cross, I am telling you from personal exp. If they took your license and birth certs, took a peak and let you go, they didnt pull your record! They do a quick search for crossing violations, and warrants. Funny thing is Canada can pull records from your past that were expunged by US, such as your juvy records. No joke. That is how i got turned back the first time. I cross thru windsor and the falls with no problem, and only 5 minutes. Thru MN, hahahaha thats a different story. The border there is ONE lane and hardly traffic and in the boon docks, so they will do their work frankly because they have not much else to do. Every single car that we did see at that boarder was pulled over, EVERYONE. Its also true if you get a arse, good luck. The younger guys that were working made the impression that the older guy was a power hungry guy, they shook their heads while he wasnt looking, same time I was in the office, they rejected a 70yr old man whom had a DUI 20yr ago, no lie, felt horrible for him as well. So its a pick, what mood they are in, and how busy they are. Also true to start to rehab yourself ASAP if you have anything on record. Which I am in the process of doing myself. My buddy who works the border did say I should be ok to go through, but they will hassle me everytime. The border in MN(boadette) supposedly is the highest% of trafficking drugs, illegal immigrants, and "the bad guys", so I guess its all for the best they hassle, but to deny a legal person, is BS. |
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| I have only been asked once in the 10 years of going to Canada.
We are all asked at Fort Francis about 10 years ago if anyone had a DUI.
Since then I have been crossing at Warroad for the last 9 years and never been asked once if anyone has a DUI.
Midge |
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| Don't give them a reason to search you. have learned what to do and what not to do the hard way. Two years ago we had a big group go across together. We had three trucks and went across right behind each other. Everyone had told the person in the booth we were all together and when asked about tobacco and alcohol everyone answered what they had except all the alcohol was in the third truck. They didn't like that. After sitting there for 5 hours and searching our stuff and running background checks they let us go. One member had to pay $200 for a week pass into Canada for his DWI. Bottom line take what your willing to claim or willing to pay duty on. Don't bring ANYTHING across for someone else period. You learn alot sitting there for 5 hours. They were telling us about the scanning machine they have. It can pick ANY amount of drugs in your truck, so don't even try to bring drugs across. It would be a big mistake if you want to loose everything.:( The person with the DWI will have no problem getting thorough if you don't give them a reason to check you. I would not be the driver if I had a DWI and would be prepared to pay the $200 fee if checked or have an alternet plain if turned back. Good Luck |
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| I didnt have nor have I ever had a DUI. But they still stopped me and got the 3rd degree. They dont have a "Scanner" its a dog, I should know, I got first hand experience at Warroad. Like I said it must just be who is on Duty. If they suspect you they will check you. One thing i believe happend was the liquer, we had bought it and the truck was already so loaded it was actually sitting in the middle of the 2nd row(have a tahoe), plain sight. They are more leanient other places because I have gone through a few times since but in windsor, and no issue, no crazy questions. I now have arrangments when I go to take the "Fairy" over everytime so thats nice. Its legal to because i never go into Canada while boating to resort. Once in, to go fishing you only call the dnr which only checks you have a fishing license, nothing else, and they give you permission to fish Canadian water not the border.
Make sure passports are good, and you get the proper fishing cards, and license. You can get them online. Be there soon! |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | This is the BIG reason I will probably never fish Canada. I've never been convicted of DUI either. I don't see what makes them able to charge us to come in after we have gone through our own legal system and taken care of everything. I personally feel it is absolutely stupid to pay an extra $200 or any amount to fish there just because you had a DUI here. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fish up there, and maybe some day I will, but I doubt it very much. I guess it's just the principal for me, and I'm very stubborn.
Edited by Lone Stone 4/3/2009 4:49 PM
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Posts: 7090
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Lone Stone - 4/3/2009 4:48 PM
This is the BIG reason I will probably never fish Canada. I've never been convicted of DUI either. I don't see what makes them able to charge us to come in after we have gone through our own legal system and taken care of everything. I personally feel it is absolutely stupid to pay an extra $200 or any amount to fish there just because you had a DUI here. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fish up there, and maybe some day I will, but I doubt it very much. I guess it's just the principal for me, and I'm very stubborn.
That's the great thing about both the United States and Canada, you have the right to choose where you want to live. Believe it or not, Canada is their own soveriegn (sp) nation and they are allowed to make their own rules. If you choose not to fish there because of this rule, that is your choice. |
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Posts: 8835
| Lone Stone...
DUI is considered to be a very serious offense in Canada. It doesn't matter what OUR laws say about it, you're travelling to a foreign country. Our laws don't mean diddly #*#* outside of our borders. |
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| Boarder junkie
They do have a SCANNER at I Falls. |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I know they have the right to make their own laws, and enforce them. I am also VERY aware of us being able to make our own choices because we are a free nation. And I know Canada is very strict on many things. I am also very aware of what it's like to travel in foreign countries. Let's put the noose away. The above post is just my opinion and I'm not trying to discourage anyone else from going there. I could give a crap less. It is a great place to fish. It's just hard for me understand why someone would want to pay again for something they did, just to cross a border??? To each their own.
Edited by Lone Stone 4/3/2009 7:50 PM
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| What about a PI charge (Public Intox) as compared to a DUI/DWI? What's Canada's stance on that type/kind of charge when trying to enter into their country to fish? |
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Posts: 717
Location: Grand Rapids, MI | I used to go to Canada on a regular basis with my family. All you have to do is put a Bible on the dashboard over on the drivers' side and you'll be home free. |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Quotes like this really get my blood boiling. A mistake is when a clerk provides the incorrect change at the checkout counter. DWI/DUI is a crime. It is not a foolish mistake to be forgiven. It is a punishable offense and the Canadian government has the responsibility and right to protect it's citizens. You take that gample and break the law you better be ready to accept the consequences.
Ask a mother or father how they feel about loosing a child who was killed by a drunk driver. I doubt they will consider the act of the DWI/DUI driver as just a "foolish mistake". It is a deliberate act -- period. A family who lost a loved one doesn't care that the driver only blew a .08 vs a .2 or .3 Offenders out there should stop trying to minimize their crime by putting the DUI/DWI in that same context.
MyliesPlace(Justin) - 4/1/2009 3:20 PM
People make mistakes. The system is supposed to forgive one foolish mistake, but it does take some time and planning to overcome. The real problem is when those that should be let through, get turned away because of discretion. That has got to stop.
PMs and emails welcome anytime on this subject. |
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| any link for the rules? |
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Posts: 8835
| Here's what the Canadian government has to say:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/minneapolis/imm/inadmissible-i...
[...] Offences involving operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs will, with very rare exceptions, render persons criminally inadmissible to Canada and therefore in need of Approval of Rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit to enter Canada for any purpose and any length of time."
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Determining if you are admissable:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/guides/5312E.PDF
It's probably best no matter what the situation is to find out ahead of time what you need to do and get it done long before your trip. I can't imagine being turned away at the border would make for a very fun fishing trip.
Edited by esoxaddict 4/7/2009 9:40 AM
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi everyone,
What I always try to keep in mind when it comes to this whole border issue is that we are extremely fortunate to enjoy the privilege of enjoying the Canadian wilderness, it's people, its fantastic fishing and hunting opportunities, etc. When someone makes a mistake (foolish, intended, etc.) they lose their privilege to enjoy those things. In many ways, I view this as no different than if you didn't do your homework so mom and dad didn't allow you to use the car for your date Saturday night. you have to EARN the privilege to go their again...through their channels. It's their decision.
I agree with AFChief on what he is saying...Not so much on his argument of Mylies Quote, but on how one might feel about reinstating someone's privilege knowing there is a POTENTIAL of their repeating the same offense...that is a safety issue, and just as many of you would step up to protect family members, the Canadian government is stepping up to protect it's citizens. More power to them because when I go there, I know I am being protected as well. My safety within their country is at stake as well when I am visiting. To that I say "thank you!!"
What I pulled from Mylies quote is that there are some people who have gone through the process, waited their required amount of time, etc. and they still get turned away, even though they have gone through the proper channels to regain the privilege. I think THAT is what he was stating as being wrong.
If I had gone through the proper channels, completed the paperwork, etc. that I would expect that I WOULD get the 'third degree' when I arrive at the border....I made a mistake punishable by law and therefore I must always expect to be asked about it, no matter how long after the mistake/crime was committed. It will follow you... Just because you've made the "rehab" doesn't dismiss the crime.
JMHHO
Steve |
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Drunk driving and going to Canada