I have buddy who wants to go to Canada this summer to go fishing. He had a DUI 14 years ago when he was in college. As we all know, the customs people can be butt heads when it comes to this sort of thing. I have done a little research and from what I have found and from what some people have told me, is that after 10 years it is no longer a problem. After this amount of time (with no other violations)the person is deemed "rehabilitated". I know there is a permit one can apply for to gain acceptance into the country, and also the money involved with that (My dad had to do that a few years ago). I am wondering if anyone out there has information about this particular situation where the offense occurred 14 years ago. Thanks in advance for any info you have.
I have a family friend who owns land up in Canada and he had a DWI 20 some years ago, He's been going to his land for 10-15 years last year on his way up Canadian officials decided to do a random background check and noticed his DWI and wouldnt let him into Canada ...after 10-15 yrs of going there monthly. A DWI is a felony level offense in Canada. He is currently fighting with the Canadian government to get his right to be allowed in Canada back as he is a property/business owner. SO you can risk just going for it as he got away with getting in for 10-15 years. Or do the money thing
-------------------- "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work"
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Bret Clark
IDA Ice Pro Staff
Reged: 12/08/04
Posts: 5053
Fish Bucks: $98.36
Loc: Sparta, WI
3 of my buddies and I are headed to Canada this summer. 2 of them have DUI's over 10 years ago. We checked with the Canadian border booth at the NW Sportsshow and were told anything older than 10 years wouldn't be a problem. But we continue to hear stories of people that are prohibited from entering even if they had a DUI 10, 15 years ago. Just seems like it all depends on who's doing the checking at the border.
As long as you answer questions straight forward and be polite you will not have a problem, Take off your sunglasses put out your butts if you smoke look them straight in the eye and give precise answers to there questions, anything under 10 years they have issue with. I've been going up there and havent had an issue, mine was 9+ years ago. Smile, be nice and dont act like you are in a big hurry and you guys will fly by with flying colors.... (that's a joke )
At one time I had a little something on my record that was 20 years old also , when I wanted to travel up to Canada after this border crossing deal come about I just went to our local court house and asked "who do I talk to about getting this issue OFF my record as I wanted to travel to Canada for recreational reasons ..AKA fishing" and after talking to a few people we finaly set up a court date and the judge had it dismissed from my record on the grounds of my good behavior since and he also knew I was NOT a threat locally or to any other part of the world . I dont remember exactly how long it took but it went throught without a hitch.
Just another option one could try
-------------------- It is better to know me and not need me, than it is to need me and not know me .....
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Spence
Member
Reged: 02/13/07
Posts: 72
Fish Bucks: $1.84
Loc: southern mn
ERB, from my experience you exactly right on with your info. It is 10 yrs to be "rehabilitated." I just ran into this SAME EXACT issue a couple years ago. They did not let him cross from a charge 18 yrs ago. Long story short, if they call you in the bldg for questioning, we were told it is smart to ask for a head manager/"official trooper" whatever you want to call it, and it shouldn't be an issue.
But who knows, it's different at every station, eh.
Unfortunately it does depend a lot on the person who checks you at the border and that's true of both U.S. and Canadian authorities. Good advice to give them straight answers, take the sunglasses off and personal appearance also makes a difference. Also don't wait for them to ask you for ID - just hand it to them as they greet you. That may reduce the number of questions and suspicion. Don't try to hide anything and do not show up with an attitude - they're well trained to sense that type of thing. If you try to play games they make take the opportunity to waste your time at best and ruin your trip at worst.
Havnt tried for years and dont plan on it any time soon. I catch just as many fish in th USA as I can in Canada I just think we as Americans should take care of this country first by spending are American dollar right were it came from>>>
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Briank
IDO Multi Media Sales Director
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 24046
Fish Bucks: $480.30
Loc: Lakeland, MN
I've only been to Canada twice...both times were within a week of each other (Hot Bite going on).
The first time through, the CA border agent was pleasant, we had our ID's ready. She asked our reason to go into CA...the boat behind made it hard to tell her anything but the truth. Then she asked about weapons and went through the list of what weapons are. I said we didn't have any, to which she replied...your going fishing and you don't have any knives?? What are you going to clean your fish with??? I swallowed hard and said we we're going to the Red River monster catfishing and we practice catch and release. Guess it was good enough for her...but I did forget about our cut bait knife.
The second time through I think the fella watched too many Rambo movies. "Take off those sunglasses" he barked. WHAT is your purpose in CA??
He let us through but, I believe if we would have had blood shot eyes or moved our eyes left to right too much, he would have enjoyed delaying our entry.
I've also heard first hand about entry back into the US being a hassle...so it's not just getting INTO CA.
I don't have a problem spending my hard earned cash in our neighboring country. But the first time I have issues getting through, I could easily change my mind.
Besides, it's the only place I can buy Catfish Ale.
Thanks to everyone who shared your advice/stories. I have always taken the glasses off, had I.D.'s ready, been polite etc... and have not had any problems. I agee that it has a lot to do with the person working the booth that day. I shared all of your info with my buddy and we are going to give it a try. Hopefully they will not call us in and give us the 3rd degree. Thanks again for the the advice.
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, when I wanted to travel up to Canada after this border crossing deal come about I just went to our local court house and asked "who do I talk to about getting this issue OFF my record as I wanted to travel to Canada for recreational reasons ..AKA fishing" and after talking to a few people we finaly set up a court date and the judge had it dismissed from my record on the grounds of my good behavior since and he also knew I was NOT a threat locally or to any other part of the world 
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