View Full Version : DWI Canadian Border Crossing US Citizen's
The Great Guide
03-08-2002, 08:18 AM
For those of you who are in need of information regarding permits for minor criminality (DWI and other minor offenses) so that you may cross the boarder at International Falls, MN here is some information.
Applications and written instructions may be obtained at:
www.cic.gc.ca Look for APPLICATIONS.
Questions can be answered at International Falls by calling:
Citizenship & Immigration at International Falls
807-274-3818
Address: 101 Church Street
2nd Floor
Fort Francis, Ont. PQA3X8
Permits can be issued at International Falls and other border crossing, but there is quite a bit of documentation required so you should allow for ample time. Cost of lifetime permit is $200 for simple minor offenses & $1000 for more serious offenses.
A US Passport will help.
TGG
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03-08-2002, 01:12 PM
nm
Sunshine
03-08-2002, 01:37 PM
I almost fell off my bar stool reading about the $200 :) }>
On DWI and Border Crossing;
Roberto Durante said it best: "No Mas"
guide#7
03-09-2002, 08:04 AM
Have the Canadians changed their current policy? As of last year the border check points don't inquire about any DWI or minor(serious) offenses. If you apply for the "Rabies" permit (rural area border crossing) you then face customs and immigration people that do check and the $200.00 clearance waiver will be needed.
7 out
We crossed the border at Rainy last fall. 3 vehicles, 1st and 3rd got stopped. 2nd went through. After asking the normal questions, the border guard informed us that she was going to search our vehicles and boats, and that while she was doing this, we should go inside an register with the immigration officer.
Six of us went in and one by one provided him with Id's and Birth certs. He asked us each if we had ever been convicted of a crime. The first guy said no. He went in the office, and a short while later came out and informed the first guy that he ran background check and it said that he had, indeed, been convicted of DWI. That is a felony in Canada, and that he could deny entry because of a violation of the immigration law.
Or, he could issue a temporary entry waiver with a $200CAN fine. He then explained that this was good for this year only, and that if my freind wanted to come back next, he would have to apply for Rehab Kit. Another $200 fee. Oh, and because the DWI was within the last 5 years, he couldn't get the Rehab. He would have to apply for a Minister's Pardon each year, until the DWI was past 5 years. You guessed it! A minister's Pardon cost $200, each year. Only after the DWI was beyond 5 years old could he apply for the lifetime Rehab Kit.
When it was my turn, I told him that I had a DWI in Wisconsin 24 years ago. He went in the office, came back and said that it didn't show up on my record. He told me that because I told the truth, he ws going to let me enter with no fine. He then told me that in the future, I should say no when asked if I was ever convicted of a crime. In other words, LIE! LOL
They got 2 in our party that day. I took over an hour with the immigration officer. Then we had to rearrange the stuff in our trucks and boats, and put the covers back on them. Found out later that one of the 2 guys in the other vehicle that got through with no check, had a rather serious conviction that might have resulted in no entry for him. They also didn't get checked coming back across! Some guys just breeze through, others don't.
I must add that this was the first time in almost 20 years that I was ever stopped and/or searched going in or coming back. First times I ever had to get out of my vehicle either way. The officers were very polite and professional, and even joked around with us.
If you want to save some time crossing, you might consider getting this Pardon, or Rehab Kit well in advance. At the time, $200CAN converted to $132 US. I think the resort owners are a little PO'd that they started doing this last year. It started right away in the beginning of the season, and had nothing to do with 9/11.
Tight Lines All,
Shep
clinton
03-09-2002, 09:42 AM
The Cunucks just dont care what you been convicted of......they just WANT YOUR ##### MONEY.
Scott Richardson
03-09-2002, 11:15 AM
When I was a police reporter for 16 years, people would say, "Why do you have to put that in the newspaper?" The fact was such decisions were up to people higher on the food chain than I. But, nonetheless, my answer was always, "If you don't like the consequences, don't do the crime."
Scott Richardson
Cangl
03-09-2002, 12:26 PM
Oh well I have been to Canada anyhow. Ridiculus is as ridiculus does!
the legend
03-09-2002, 05:37 PM
Do they check I.D.'s of everybody entering canada now. I haven't crossed the border for 20 years!!! What happens if someone with dui attempts to enter canada?????
Goldpig
03-09-2002, 06:09 PM
My understanding is that they check everyone's ID, but do not run every single license to check for past offenses.
felon in Mb
03-09-2002, 06:24 PM
I recently crossed at Roseau, had 1 dui in 82, the official just slid the window open and asked the normal ??? and we breezed right threw, the 2 guys with me also had dui's as recent as 9 yrs, so go figger, and I knew about all this prior to leaving home, just made 2 sets of reservations, 1Mb, 1Mn
bigfish1965
03-09-2002, 07:46 PM
I have seen this gripe before, but the answer remains the same. The rule is no one with a felony record is allowed in. If you get past them you are lucky. If you cannot be bothered to get a pardon for a very old crime, don't blame others for your inaction.
Most DWI related fatalities are perpetrated by a repeat offender. That's the way it is. The events of September 11th have even made things tighter.
A Canadian with a criminal record faces the EXACT same problems at your border. Crossing into a foreign country is not a right, it is a priviledge.
manitobawalleye
03-09-2002, 10:22 PM
the post above said the magic word.
apply for a pardon in your state...
up here in canada you can get a pardon after 5 years...
but i agree that they are ripping you off...
here's a good one...
last 2 summers the Manitoba govt. has been hiring students in the summer to patrol and check people with out of province plates for zebra mussels... all well intended... but if i am not mistaken the water shed goes rainy river, lake of the woods, winnipeg river, lake winnipeg, stop the mussels, what a waste of good money....shows why we need the extra coin with dummies like this around