Has anyone gone into Canada with a DUI recently?

[lilmoose21]

So I got a ticket for my bday to the GSP vs Condit fight in Montreal in November. This would be awesome except for the fact that I got a DUI in New York State a little more than 2 years ago. From the research I've done, it seems like almost a 0% chance I would be allowed into Canada. Does anyone have first hand experience with this? And please leave the DUI comments alone. I know I'm a scum bag and I've paid the price for my dumb decision.

Thank you

[Air-over-water]

Going to watch a fight in Canada and you have a DUI...

[geofftii2002]

I'm sorry I can't offer advise on the matter. But I'm certainly interested in learning what the practice is on that (not that I've EVER had a DUI)... just curious. It's not something I would have ever considered.

We have all done dumb things, you managed to get away with it with your skin intact, and hopefully that of those around you. Best thing you can do is learn from it and not do it again.

[ATL_Av8r]

They let Pakistanis run rampant but they'll turn away an American with a DUI?

Or is it because it involves watching homoerotic boxing/hugging in hotpants?

[lilmoose21]

Going to watch a fight in Canada and you have a DUI...

I don't get the correlation...

[Geesixty]

Not sure if it helps, but my cousin and I just walked over the bridge from Buffalo to Toronto using our passports.

On a somewhat unrelated note, I am now a huge fan of the Canadian Ballet.

[ATL_Av8r]

On a somewhat unrelated note, I am now a huge fan of the Canadian Ballet.

Not sure where this is going.....but anticipating the outcome

[Maxpowerz]

i saw a similar example to yours on a show border security. if you were charged or are still wating on the charges then you are inadmissable to canada. if the charges were dropped you are ok if not then you need to jump though some hoops.

here is link that you may find usefull about 3/4 of the page down
http://www.1800duilaws.com/dui-artic..._to_canada.asp

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Not sure if it helps, but my cousin and I just walked over the bridge from Buffalo to Toronto using our passports.

Wat. I didn't realize they built a bridge over Lake Ontario.

[Achilles]

I don't get the correlation...

Canada looks at DUI's as a crime against a person, and fighting, well, is against people too...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-c49436/Canadawi.Or.Dui.Driving.Convictions.html

[seadoo2006]

I don't get the correlation...

Watching a homoerotic dance in short shorts aided by 'roids and alcohol is not exactly the best thing to do for an ex-DUI offender. But hey, to each their own ...

I'll never understand the WWF/UFC culture or how people find entertainment in watching two sweaty guys hug and dance with each other for hours on end ...

[Cousin Eddie]

Not sure if it helps, but my cousin and I just walked over the bridge from Buffalo to Toronto using our passports.

Pretty long ****ing walk.

[ATL_Av8r]

Watching a homoerotic dance in short shorts aided by 'roids and alcohol is not exactly the best thing to do for an ex-DUI offender. But hey, to each their own ...

I'll never understand the WWF/UFC culture or how people find entertainment in watching two sweaty guys hug and dance with each other for hours on end ...

Now just wait one damn minute. "Culture"? Really?

[seadoo2006]

Now just wait one damn minute. "Culture"? Really?

... my apologies ...

[Geesixty]

Not sure where this is going.....but anticipating the outcome

And I thought I was being all cool when I told my 60-something year old aunt the next morning that my cousin (her son) and I really enjoyed the "ballet"... that was until she said she went to a guys "ballet" a few years back and had a great time. I was all like

Wat. I didn't realize they built a bridge over Lake Ontario.

LOL... whoops! Well, it was the Rainbow Bridge over to the Canadian side of Niagra. Is that not the Toronto region? My Canadian geography is not very good beyond finding the nearest Casino or "massage" parlor.

Edit: Just looked at a map... I guess it is considered the Ontario region. Carry on....

[Cousin Eddie]

LOL... whoops! Well, it was the Rainbow Bridge over to the Canadian side of Niagra. Is that not the Toronto region? My Canadian geography is not very good beyond finding the nearest Casino or "massage" parlor.

Edit: Just looked at a map... I guess it is considered the Ontario region. Carry on....

If it's considered "Ontario Region" then you crossed from the "New York State" region.

You crossed from Niagara Falls New York to Niagara Falls Ontario. Both two different cities.

Toronto is about 130kms away, or a little over an hour's drive.

It'd be like me saying "I crossed from Niagara Falls Ontario just over the bridge to Rochester by walking".

[vdub_jetta]

i guess it all depends cuz i have a good buddy that got a DUI over 10 years ago (the charge was BS since he was sleeping it off in his car after a party, but had the car on since it was freezing outside, and got hit with a DUI) and he's been unable to get into to Canada for the past few years

no idea why he's still blacklisted

[Oliver@triplezoom]

LOL... whoops! Well, it was the Rainbow Bridge over to the Canadian side of Niagra. Is that not the Toronto region? My Canadian geography is not very good beyond finding the nearest Casino or "massage" parlor.

Edit: Just looked at a map... I guess it is considered the Ontario region. Carry on....

I'd say you crossed the bridge over to the city of Niagara Falls. Toronto is a different city that is almost 80 miles away.

[lilmoose21]

Canada looks at DUI's as a crime against a person, and fighting, well, is against people too...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g153339-c49436/Canadawi.Or.Dui.Driving.Convictions.html

Yea I looked at that article yesterday, which is why I was hoping to get a first person example of what may happen...and UFC is actually much safer than boxing if you care to look it up. And I guess you also missed the part where it was a birthday present from my brother. If it makes any difference, I won't be driving up there. I just don't want to make the 6 hour journey only to be told I have to go home...

[Bibs]

Just give them a call...

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/contact/bis-sif-eng.html

[Cousin Eddie]

Link from U.S. customs & border: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...h-dui-offenses

Can I enter Canada and the U.S. if I have a DUI on my record?

As a general rule, Canada does not allow persons with DUI's to enter their country, although travellers who require in-depth information regarding the process of applying for a waiver or other admissibility questions can reach the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during regular business hours, Monday to Friday (08:00 - 16:00 local time, except holidays) by calling either (506)636-5064 or (204)983-3500.

[compy222]

^ interesting. maybe you just can't enter by car.

[Cousin Eddie]

^ interesting. maybe you just can't enter by car.

It's likely just a precaution. I mean you Americans will let us in with DUI's but let's face it, your beer is like water and not nearly as strong as ours. We're seasoned hosers who know our limit. We could TRY to get drunk and likely still be under the legal limit in the U.S.

On the other hand you guys come up here and get all antsy in your pantsy with that REAL beer and it hits you like a freight train. So anyone who has a DUI is a menace to society because if he thinks he's good to drive after 2 or 3 Canadian beers he's flat out wrong, that's like 10 American beers to his system.

[BmwFanBoy]

I think I'm missing something here. The last time I drove to Vancouver for a snowboarding trip I drove through no problem. All they asked if I had a criminal record, warrants, and purpose being there? They didn't do a whole background check. Is it different on the east coast side?

[MatchStick]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...nvictions.html

[MidnightSpecial]

A DUI is like a felony here. You'll need to get an exemption waiver, but I don't think it's been long enough since your incident for you to be eligible. I've known people who got DUIs in the 90's that can't enter Canada.

[1Point8TDan]

I'm not sure if its the fact that I'm Canadian and at the Canada Border they don't scan my passport like they do when I enter the US. I know a guy with a criminal record (worse than a DUI) that goes regularly to US for non job related purposes.

[Geesixty]

If it's considered "Ontario Region" then you crossed from the "New York State" region.

You crossed from Niagara Falls New York to Niagara Falls Ontario. Both two different cities.

Toronto is about 130kms away, or a little over an hour's drive.

It'd be like me saying "I crossed from Niagara Falls Ontario just over the bridge to Rochester by walking".

LOL... I actually got a chuckle out of the Rochester comment. Now you're speaking 'merican!

Perhaps if I had made both trips across the bridge sober, I could have learned something. Either way, it was definitely a night to remember.

[lilmoose21]

I guess I will not be going...I'll give them a call, but thank's for the help guys and thanks for not tearin me apart for being an ahole

[SVTJayC]

I guess I will not be going...I'll give them a call, but thank's for the help guys and thanks for not tearin me apart for being an ahole

Did you get ARD? Or some other first offender's program? If so you might not be required to tell them.

Also, I'm not really sure what legal grounds they even have to ask.

[jmj]

The key word here seems to be "conviction". Here in Mass you can often admit guilt without receiving a guilty finding (hence no "conviction") as part of the plea bargaining process. You receive probation and, if you complete it, a dismissal of the charge. The question would be whether Canadian law interprets the admission of guilt in such a scenario as the equivalent of a "conviction". I believe US immigration law considers it the same as a "conviction" for deportation purposes, for example, even though you're not formally found to be "guilty".


Edit: Just wanted to use some more "quotation marks".

[lilmoose21]

Did you get ARD? Or some other first offender's program? If so you might not be required to tell them.

Also, I'm not really sure what legal grounds they even have to ask.

No, I pled guilty to DWI and have a criminal record

[jmj]

No, I pled guilty to DWI and have a criminal record

That sounds like a "conviction" no matter which way you slice it.

[patrickvr6]

Did you get ARD? Or some other first offender's program? If so you might not be required to tell them.

Also, I'm not really sure what legal grounds they even have to ask.

They don't have to ask. The Canadian government has and agreement with the US that allows them to look up your criminal background record, they can see the data with the info from your passport. They may ask you details about it but they already know and just want to see if you will deceive them.

Most other countries don't have this type of agreement so you can be a kid toucher from Greece and still get in without issue.

[lilmoose21]

That sounds like a "conviction" no matter which way you slice it.

Yep...I will not be going it seems