usvi-on-line
Why I hate Canada
I see the problem being that public transportation in the US stopped on the East Coast an didn't continue further west, except for the trains up and down the CA coast. Those of us living west of NY have to drive or take a taxi, if your town even has taxi service. Try hailing a cab in Wyoming! That leaves us with no choice of drinking when we go out to eat, etc. We are taking a huge risk with a two drink law putting us over the limit. We've stopped going out at night. We choose to meet friends for lunch instead. Iced tea won't get one pulled over. Just a geographical two cents.
Things must have changed for the border into Canada since I was a teen. I lived in MI and figure skated in Canada every day. Many of my fellow figure skating friends ordered their skating boots (no blades attached) from US companies and would have them shipped to my home and I would wear them on my feet as I drove across the border every day, sometimes twice a day. No one questioned me and it saved my friends money on taxes. I smuggled stuff over all the time for them. Granted this was back in the 60's and 70's.
Things must have changed for the border into Canada since I was a teen. I lived in MI and figure skated in Canada every day. Many of my fellow figure skating friends ordered their skating boots (no blades attached) from US companies and would have them shipped to my home and I would wear them on my feet as I drove across the border every day, sometimes twice a day. No one questioned me and it saved my friends money on taxes. I smuggled stuff over all the time for them. Granted this was back in the 60's and 70's.
Canada was making really good beer long before most Americans knew what good beer was (or even realized that some of what they were drinking was awful).
Canada was willing to give the metric system an honest try.
Canadians are willing to use $1 and $2 coins. And I've always liked the look of their bills.
And the Canadians just went ahead and did whatever it took to get our diplomats out of Iran. Thanks again.
And the national sport is curling. And they do have a great anthem.
Joni Mitchell.
The maple leaf---the leaf of a tree---on their flag.
Canada was willing to give the metric system an honest try.
Canadians are willing to use $1 and $2 coins. And I've always liked the look of their bills.
And the Canadians just went ahead and did whatever it took to get our diplomats out of Iran. Thanks again.
And the national sport is curling. And they do have a great anthem.
Joni Mitchell.
The maple leaf---the leaf of a tree---on their flag.
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
I wonder if part of the issue is prickliness about going there for work?
I used to work for a company based in Ottawa, ON and spent lots of time up there. My first trip up there I was maybe 25 and I guess pretty naive and I was shocked that I was pulled into a small room to be interrogated by an immigration official. He had me in tears, repeatedly asking why I was going there (for training - I was brand new at the firm) and just generally giving me a hard time. He wouldn't read the letters I had from my firm welcoming me to training, etc.
Anyway, I spent a weekend with my cousin and her husband, who lived in Toronto at the time. They said I should always just say I'm going up for vacation/ pleasure, not business, and I would have no problem.
Granted this was long ago, but I still remember how as soon as I said I was going there for work I was pulled into an interrogation.
(Oh and I should say that once I got out of the airport I always loved visiting there and loved Ottawa.)
I used to work for a company based in Ottawa, ON and spent lots of time up there. My first trip up there I was maybe 25 and I guess pretty naive and I was shocked that I was pulled into a small room to be interrogated by an immigration official. He had me in tears, repeatedly asking why I was going there (for training - I was brand new at the firm) and just generally giving me a hard time. He wouldn't read the letters I had from my firm welcoming me to training, etc.
Anyway, I spent a weekend with my cousin and her husband, who lived in Toronto at the time. They said I should always just say I'm going up for vacation/ pleasure, not business, and I would have no problem.
Granted this was long ago, but I still remember how as soon as I said I was going there for work I was pulled into an interrogation.
(Oh and I should say that once I got out of the airport I always loved visiting there and loved Ottawa.)
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
Loria explained the situation very succinctly. I know of Canadians who smoked some dope 30 years ago and still can’t get into the US even with a Canadian pardon.
If you’re traveling through Eastern Canada, most Canadians over that side of the country will be totally thrilled that the Bruins won the Cup – and they deserved to win because Tim Thomas is absolutely amazing. No hard feelings from this Canucks fan.
Yes, our beauracracy is slow for just about anything we want to do. Waiting a few months for a piece of paper to be reviewed is certainly more often the rule than the exception.
If you’re traveling through Eastern Canada, most Canadians over that side of the country will be totally thrilled that the Bruins won the Cup – and they deserved to win because Tim Thomas is absolutely amazing. No hard feelings from this Canucks fan.
Yes, our beauracracy is slow for just about anything we want to do. Waiting a few months for a piece of paper to be reviewed is certainly more often the rule than the exception.
~Brenda~
thanks Brenda--and i was just kdding about our neighbors to the north being up in arms about the Bruins--what a great series though.... truly two great teams and wha t agreat story in tim thomas!bubblybrenda wrote: If you’re traveling through Eastern Canada, most Canadians over that side of the country will be totally thrilled that the Bruins won the Cup – and they deserved to win because Tim Thomas is absolutely amazing. No hard feelings from this Canucks fan.
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
I can see where the folks up north may not make a real high priority of reviewing the applications of convicted felons who want to enter the country. If there are extenuating circumstances, I'm sure they will consider them, but there probably are a few things that they'll get to before getting to those applications.
Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel.
Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel.
I get it that criminals are not a priority, but in our case he is not a convicted felon...remember this happened over 20 years ago. (I am NOT saying that it was OK) It certainly was not a felony in the US and I don't know if it is now or not. I know it is a felony in Canada now, but I wonder if it was back then.
Not sure if it is business vs. pleasure issue.
Oh well. We are going with documents in hand. His lawyer is also notifying a supervisor in Customs. So I hope we will be ok. If not, we go to plan B and he catches up to us somehow.
We're gonna create all kinds of a ruckus as my daughter has a 6 inch metal plate in her arm. Our first time traveling with that!
It's pretty easy to prove that with her giant scar!
Not sure if it is business vs. pleasure issue.
Oh well. We are going with documents in hand. His lawyer is also notifying a supervisor in Customs. So I hope we will be ok. If not, we go to plan B and he catches up to us somehow.
We're gonna create all kinds of a ruckus as my daughter has a 6 inch metal plate in her arm. Our first time traveling with that!
It's pretty easy to prove that with her giant scar!"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Before the drinking age was reduced in MI to 18, we were in high school. The legal drinking age in Canada was 18, so we would drive over the border and drink, buy liquor, etc.
So sorry that a DUI 20 years ago is creating a problem for you now.
Okay, we were stupid, but the laws were definitely less strict. So you're right, I can understand them raising the bar a bit.
So sorry that a DUI 20 years ago is creating a problem for you now.
Okay, we were stupid, but the laws were definitely less strict. So you're right, I can understand them raising the bar a bit.
Last edited by Terry on Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:57 am, edited 2 times in total.
Sorry to hear that you are having problems...I remember awhile back when you..or at least I think it was you that had posted about how hard it was to get into Canada with a previous DUI. I had already bought plane tickets at that time for our trip to Niagara Falls. Hubby had a DUI about 23 yrs ago, in fact he had 3..and we were not sure whether to cancel the trip or just try and see what would happen..I hadnt made our reservations yet. I had planned on staying on the Canadian side.But I also didnt want to have to cancel a reservation at the last minute because we couldnt get across the border and loose our money. So I made ours on the US side. When we arrived to go across Rainbow Bridge we were all questioned as far as who we were...how he was related to my children, mainly questions like that..where were staying...why we there...how long were we going to be in Canada and so on...but never once were we questioned about the DUI...not at anytime we crossed...It was never mentioned by us or them. I was told by a "friend" not to volunteer any info only be polite and answer only the questions they asked, And to be honest I think they were so slow getting our passports swiped is why they asked so many questions. I thought the workers on the US border were by far much more rude than the Canadian side. I understand how you feel and I see why you would be upset, but looks to me like if they are allowing him to cross for work...then this one shouldnt be an issue...keep us posted...we do plan on going back...and hopefully stay on the Canadian side next time...Good Luck !!!
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
I find it amusing that someone would be so willing and eager to admit to violations of multiple local, federal and international laws in front of the whole world as Terry is.
Sorry, violation of customs regulations, failure to pay taxes and import/export fees, underage drinking, falsification of identification as well as driving under the influence (most likely) are not laughable matters. No wonder our northern neighbors are willing to cause hardships for someone with a 20 year old DUI.
Sorry, violation of customs regulations, failure to pay taxes and import/export fees, underage drinking, falsification of identification as well as driving under the influence (most likely) are not laughable matters. No wonder our northern neighbors are willing to cause hardships for someone with a 20 year old DUI.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
This is why I always follow my hubby's rule when going through customs/immigration: Use as few words as possible and only answer questions asked. Do not volunteer any information. Period.
I traveled to Vancouver and Toronto for work a couple of times each and had a much more thorough grilling going to Vancouver than I ever did going to Toronto. Not sure why.
Now, I just returned from vacation in Spain/Portugal. That was hilarious. They don't ask me ANYTHING - not why I was visiting...nothing. As a matter of fact I only got a stamp in Spain, nothing in Portugal (I am assuming because they are both EU countries), nothing in Gibraltar (though I asked...I wanted a stamp).
I traveled to Vancouver and Toronto for work a couple of times each and had a much more thorough grilling going to Vancouver than I ever did going to Toronto. Not sure why.
Now, I just returned from vacation in Spain/Portugal. That was hilarious. They don't ask me ANYTHING - not why I was visiting...nothing. As a matter of fact I only got a stamp in Spain, nothing in Portugal (I am assuming because they are both EU countries), nothing in Gibraltar (though I asked...I wanted a stamp).
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
Vancouver is the #1 port of entry in Canada which is why the grilling is heavier here than in Toronto. If you want to immigrate for a busines reason, chances of your application being accepted increase the further east you apply. If you apply in Vancouver, the chances increase that your application will be rejected. It is common for company's to send their potential employees back east to apply for immigration.
I cross the border every couple of weeks (your prices on almost everything are exceptionally cheaper and with the $$ at par we save a lot of $$ by crossing over to the US). Yes sir, no sir, and don't offer any information except to answer their questions succinctly. In 21 years of crossing (at one point every weekend for years), I have only been pulled over twice to pay duty and have never ever been questioned other than what I'm asked at the booth. As a matter of fact, in the Bruins/Canucks series the American border guard even offered to take the Canucks flag off my car... not sure if he wanted it for himself or wanted to replace it with a Bruins flag.
The drinking age in BC is 19, 21 in WA.
I cross the border every couple of weeks (your prices on almost everything are exceptionally cheaper and with the $$ at par we save a lot of $$ by crossing over to the US). Yes sir, no sir, and don't offer any information except to answer their questions succinctly. In 21 years of crossing (at one point every weekend for years), I have only been pulled over twice to pay duty and have never ever been questioned other than what I'm asked at the booth. As a matter of fact, in the Bruins/Canucks series the American border guard even offered to take the Canucks flag off my car... not sure if he wanted it for himself or wanted to replace it with a Bruins flag.
The drinking age in BC is 19, 21 in WA.
~Brenda~