Sponsors Graphics&Border Crossing [Archive]

Todd_NE

02-13-2002, 03:25 PM

I went into Manitoba in early October last year with "sponsor" graphics on my suburban and boat. Zero troubles entering, as always we were treated with respect at Pembina/Emerson. We also were well treated on the water and by law enforcement officers on land, in fact, I would say it was the best we were ever treated and much support was offered to us wherever we went for simply being Americans. Leaving Canada the US Customs tore us apart, but hey, sometimes your number is up. I felt bad for them going through all our stuff actually, it was a lot of work. They were extremely polite, though on edge from fatigue.

However, crossing into British Columbia last year on a small road near Chilliwack we did have a bad experience in a rental car on the way to a day of sturgeon fishing then a conference in Vancouver. I and a companion were asked to come into the small buidling then separated and repeatedly questioned "interrogation" style one at a time. The officers tried to get us to admit to drug use, drug dealing, felony convictions, etc. in a less than professional manner. The frustrating part was they would repeatedly say we had admitted or done these things, or changed our story about where we were staying or what we were doing. It was totally weird and strange and unlike any of the other 30 times I've been to Canada. Finally after 30 minutes we were allowed to go through. It may not sound like much, but we weren't very happy. I respect someone doing a job, but this was way too much for a couple of people on their way to do a speech at a hospital and pick up a bonus sturgeon for fun. The funny part was they never asked to search the vehicle or our baggage contents. We chalked it up to bored guards or a recent spate of drug smuggling we weren't aware of.

We complained to the motel and outfitter, and I sent a letter to some Gov't official in BC, but I know I never got a response.

Todd