entering canada
 

I've been planning a trip to nova scotia/ new foundland/ labador and recently found out that canada has a law that "if you have ever been convicted of driving under the influence, you are not driving in canada". I read recently that our new president, technically will never be able to drive in canada because of this law. I also have two such convictions, one in '76 and one in '79. Do you think this is going to prohibit me from traveling thru canada. Can the border officials access USA driving records?

Here is a useful web page I just found via http://www.altavista.com/ ....

http://lockport-ny.com/Tourism/customs.htm

About halfway down it says this....
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Special Advisory To Those Convicted of DWI In The USA:

Canadian authorities are reported to be refusing admission to drivers with a DWI conviction in the USA. Such records are immediately available on Canada Immigration computers and may show convictions as far back as 20 years ago. Those with such convictions may be able to get a waiver for up to 30 days visitation upon payment of a $200 (Canadian) fee. A single DWI conviction may be permanently expunged from the Canadian computers for payment of $400 (Canadian). Canadian officials are reported justifying the fees because they feel DWI is a serious crime and it is a way of keeping "undesirables" out of Canada. The law, which has been in effect since 1978, has not been evenly or consistently enforced. However, reports in October 1999 indicate more and more drivers with USA DWI conviction records are being refused admission to Canada without paying extra fees.



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Bruce Clarke
brclarke@islandnet.com
www.islandnet.com/~brclarke