Topic: DUI/OWI and Canada

[Steve F]

Is it just me, or have any other forum members noticed that it seem like the "newbies" with under 100 posts land in this forum and raise the most dust?  Name calling and such don't fit in with this forum, unlike a lot of other forums which seem to attract and tolerate this kind of stuff.  That kind of crap is just that...crap.  We're more civilized here, and a lot of us are friends beyond forum acquaintances.
Steve F

[UnCrash]

You don't have a brother named Ed, do you?

 

Come on, Ed has more tact. 

[Retro Rocket]

criminal/driving history records are NOT considered public information, and your continue to show your Google mentality ignorance.

     

Hmmmmm, i feel a retraction coming on, nice reply Dan, its good to see someone doing his homework....

Mick

[winnipeg550guy]

I had a moment of stupidity 20 years ago, After a certain amount of time went by I applied for and received a Pardon for my DUI. I've never had issues with border crossing.

 I think our Canadian border services people are just looking out for the best interests of our fine neighbors from the South because if you can actually get drunk enough off your American "Beer" to get a DUI. chances are you'd be a bloody mess if you came up to Canada and drank some real beer. 

[babyfood1217]

I had a moment of stupidity 20 years ago, After a certain amount of time went by I applied for and received a Pardon for my DUI. I've never had issues with border crossing.

 I think our Canadian border services people are just looking out for the best interests of our fine neighbors from the South because if you can actually get drunk enough off your American "Beer" to get a DUI. chances are you'd be a bloody mess if you came up to Canada and drank some real beer. 

I have to ask, when you say pardon, do you mean they expunged this from your record, or do you mean you went through the appeal process to gain travel access to the south?  if the latter (the former won't happen for me), how long ago did you did this appeal?  Since 9/11/2001, the open records policy between the US and Canada has changed, thus making it more difficult for inter-country travel.  The US views my infraction as a misdemeanor, but I believe it is viewed as a felony in the provinces.  How long did your appeal/pardon process take?

-Chris

[Bonafide]

Dan - you need to learn semantics. Arrest records are not criminal records. Police reports (which contain someone being arrested) are public information - police reports are NOT criminal/driving history records. Your use of online BS quotes from wiki furthers the fact you dont have a clue about the topic - instead you're pulling bits of info that you need to form an opinion. Googling a word and coming up with internet half truths and innuendos to show you have facts is funny to me .. nice, I needed a chuckle this morning. You can choose to believe me or not - dont care. Still going back to my original complaint (when I was asked), is I do not agree with our govt releasing that kind of information to another country - especially for their intended use (repeated punishment for a previously adjudicated crime).

SteveF - I'm not new here and just because I'm not a post whore doesnt mean I appreciate someone calling me narrow minded about my opinion of traveling to their county, which is how this heated conversation started. Thanks for playin.

[gregk]

Canadians entering the US (via road) are always asked if you have been convicted of an offence, and specifically, a drunk drive charge.  We also require a passport or enhanced drivers license to enter.  The drivers license will show any moving vehicle infractions through a swipe, which is what happens every time i enter the US.  Now it seems to me that this is sharing information through two countries. 
We travel into Montana with our bikes on a regular basis on day rides and it's the same process and questions every time.  One of our riders has had a drunk drive charge but also has a "pardon" which seems to satisfy the border as he never has any problems entering the US since he was granted this pardon. 
Without co-operation through police/border forces from adjacent countries such as ours, the control of border traffic would be impossible.
With regard to the DWI restrictions, the gate swings both ways at the border.

greg

[DammitDan]

Ya know, it's really tiresome when you lay out evidence for someone and they say, "Oh, that's bull#$%* because it comes from the internet/wikipedia/any source I don't agree with."  Then they turn around and restate that they're correct and don't cite ANY evidence to back up their claim.  Whatever.  You may be smarter than everyone else, but I still love you 

Getting back on point (which is way off point to begin with), why shouldn't Canada have the right to request the criminal records of people traveling into their country?  If a potential employer can perform a background check and discover felony and misdemeanor convictions, why shouldn't a sovereign country be able to?

Unless of course you you don't agree with employers being granted criminal background checks, either.  That's a whole different ball of conspiracy theory wax.

[Gordon]

In response to the off-topic discussion going on here:

Canada, just like the U.S.A., has the option of creating its own rules for allowing people into the country.  If you don't want to submit to their background check, then don't go there.  It's just that simple.  If somebody else is okay with it, then what difference does it make to you?  I'm sure we have a very similar policy concerning Canadian citizens entering the U.S. 

[my78k]

I can't even count the amount of times I have crossed over into the US. I get over a handful of times each summer for family get togethers in the Rochester area and then we have our annual trek down to Florida for 2 weeks in the winter to get a break! I always wondered how closely the US tracks our entry and exit...then 2 winters ago when we were crossing over before he even asked our names or where we were going he said "How long are you guys gong to Orlando this time?". I was dumb founded and and stuttered out an answer. The border guy laughed and pointed out that for the last 6 or so years we crossed virtually on the same day (give or take depending on when the Friday fell) with the exact smame vehicle plate number. I chuckled and he did his usal thing and scanned our passports and sent us on our merry way...

Dennis

[winnipeg550guy]

I have to ask, when you say pardon, do you mean they expunged this from your record, or do you mean you went through the appeal process to gain travel access to the south?  if the latter (the former won't happen for me), how long ago did you did this appeal?  Since 9/11/2001, the open records policy between the US and Canada has changed, thus making it more difficult for inter-country travel.  The US views my infraction as a misdemeanor, but I believe it is viewed as a felony in the provinces.  How long did your appeal/pardon process take?

-Chris

 This pretty much sums it up ,and that at the time it cost me $400.00 to apply for the pardon.
   
   Pardons

Anyone possessing a criminal record in Canada may apply for a pardon. A pardon will seal your criminal record. Once sealed, no law enforcement agent, nor employer can access these confidential files. A pardon will also allow you to become bondable, and is beneficial when travelling to foreign countries.

A period of time must be served before applying for a pardon. After the sentence is completed, the waiting period begins. A summary conviction requires a 3 year wait while an indictable conviction requires a 5 year wait. Should a fine be imposed as part of the sentence, the waiting period begins at the time the fine was paid in full. An absolute or conditional discharge given before 1992 will not be removed from your federal record. However, this can be purged by complying with the appropriate procedures.
 A pardon may take an average of 6 -18 months to process. Once a pardon is granted, the National Parole Board will contact the courts, federal, and local police department to remove this information from their files.

[bill440cars]

   

        Whoa!   I just popped in here, to see what the heck an "OWI" was and was pretty surprised how THIS ONE turned out! (Of course, to each his own) But I'd like to visit Canada to see the Country AND meet up with some of our members up there. Gotta excuse me, I like to see the countryside and such. I don't intend to MOVE mind you, I just like to visit.

[ryder60]

Winnipeg 550 is good on this.  They even advertise it on TV out on the coast.  I don't know how you do it but I'd start with a search in the government of Canada site.

When I crossed the border, which I so often, about 6 months ago the US officer scanned my Cdn. passport and asked me what my address was on discharge from the army in 1966.  I don't think there is anything the Cdn. or US border services doesn't know about us.

[DanEarl]

ok, i didn't read all the posts but a good friend of mine went to Canada on tour with his (metal/hardcore) band a few years ago without knowing about this.  he had a DUI in wisconsin, they gave him alot of grief about it at the border and detained the whole band for a while.  Eventually they let him in and charged him a fine.  Apearantly DUI is a felony in Canada.  Did you know if you are a US band going into Canada they will tax you for your merch?  So most bands will hide their merch(cd's tshirts for sale etc..) and tell the border people they are going there for recording.  On a side note, one of those idiots had brass knuckles in their bag, and forgot they were there.  They almost got in alot of trouble for that too.

[754]

I am crossing into WA state, in the next 4hrs without passport, see how that goes..
 After sunday, I dont think I will be able to.

[bill440cars]

       Definately need to know the "ins & outs" of the country a person is planning to go into, if you want the least amount of problems when traveling, huh?

       Wasn't most of this due to 9/11?


                           Later on, Bill

[babyfood1217]

       Definately need to know the "ins & outs" of the country a person is planning to go into, if you want the least amount of problems when traveling, huh?

       Wasn't most of this due to 9/11?


                           Later on, Bill

It seems enforcement on things tightened up a lot since then (9/11.)  But I agree with knowing the ins and outs.  Don't have any pressing plans to head up north, but I want to be as prepared as possible for when I do. 

-Chris

[754]

It really has tightened up!

 If you go to Canada Or USA immigration websites, it should outline eveything you need(not sure about the pardon Process)

 I on purpose left my expired Oct08) passport at home, but found out I could have carried it & it would have helped. I was worried that they would grab it and think I was trying to pass it off as valid.

 Anyway I made it in & out, was in Wa kess than an hour, & got to see the inside of both border agencies..
 Thankfully, I wasnt walking funny when I left either...