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Way back in 1997 I was hunting in Maine,about 6 miles from the Quebec boarder, Our last night in camp we decided to go to over the boarder to drink beer and watch the painted ladies dance.
At the checkpoint all five of us were asked to get out of the truck, along with all the other Yanks and questioned.
They asked if I had ever been arrested for DWI I said no(a lie, busted in 1988, because I didn't think it was a big deal) anyway, they took my DL and found out I was lying and told me that DWI was a felony in Canada and that I had been convicted of DWI in the USA I was considered a convicted felon in Canada and as a result I was not permitted to enter Canada EVER and if I did and got caught I would be sent to prison for 5-10 years.I had to sign something that said I understood this to be the case in order to be realeased and get my DL back,this happened to at least 20 people that night.
I'm supposed to go to Bedeck Nova Scotia this summer with my entire family, wife,kids,siblings,inlaws,nephews and I don't want to go to the slammer.
What should I do?
thanks for any help

Once you're in the database, you're in there for good. I wouldn't attempt another border crossing if I were you.

You can phone the Border Information Service and get a definitive answer on your situation by talking to an agent at: 204-983-3500.

Without going into detail... my crime was actually "caught" while coming back to the US from Windsor in 1985, and in the end was a misdemeanor. That was a long time ago. But when I tried to visit a friend there last year, I had to go through a huge, three-hour questioning process before they would let me in. Thankfully, my record since then has been squeaky clean.

In order to avoid that sort of hassle in the future, I will need to read the booklet "Rehabilitation for Persons Who Are Inadmissible to Canada Because of Past Criminal Activity". Then, there is an application process to complete (with associated fees). This booklet is published by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Like Gummi said, contact the Border Agency, and do it sooner than later. With Homeland Security and other issues, it could take a while to clear things up for you. Good luck!

Cheers,
Loonette

Thanks for the info

The same thing happens to some people heading south from Canada. There is a way around it for some records... We can apply for a pardon for some things and it is removed from the public record. I know several people that did that for drug offences from their teens. Is this a possiblity for you or is it even do-able???

I can see the headlines in any of the Sun Media Papers now.

Hardened criminals coming to Canada from the US.

Im going to +1 Dr. Bars post. check if pardons are doable.

I got in touch with the Canadian Govt. and I can apply to be considered a rehabilitated person.I was told it would take from 3-6 months,so much for my summer trip.

Thanks for the help everyone

I have experienced this from the Canadian side going into the states. The Mericans are alot less jovial about the whole deal... they can take everything you have with you (luggage, vehicle, cash, young children....) and toss your azz into an American scuzzhole prison for 20 years.

So after I talked (read: beg and pleaded while looking contrite and harmless) my way back to the real Best Country in the World , I started looking into this pardon business. A Canadian pardon applies only in Canada. Basically, it allows you to truthfully claim you don't have a criminal record in a job interview. It means nothing to the Americans.

To get back into the States, you need a Waiver. This is issued by the US government, nothing to do with the Canadian flustercluck we call government at all.

A Canadian Pardon can help speed up the Waiver processing down in The World, but it is not necessary nor is it a guarantee it will be granted.

At least that's what the lawyers at one of the 'pardon mills' told me. It should be noted that I hate Lawyers, don't trust them or believe anything they tell me until after the court proceedings have verified them for me...

...so take it for what it's worth.... and remember it came from a pack of immoral, degenerate, lowlife lawyers.

(If you are a lawyer and are offended by this, screw you! I didn't force you to become an anti-Christ, that was your own doing! And I ain't apologizing for it!!! If your really upset by it, it's not too late. Micky D's is always hiring, it's not too late for you to become a useful human being.)

NorthernPete wrote:Do you feel you've been rehabilitated?

is that an Alices resturant reference?