How do athletes w/ criminal records get into Canada?

[BillVol]

I read in a travel magazine the other day that anyone with a criminal record more serious than a parking or speeding ticket is not allowed into Canada. This includes DUI, reckless driving, etc. Many nations do not admit people who have committed crimes of moral terpitude, but Canada is more strict.

Well, you know that there are plenty of NBA and MLB athletes who have DUIs, disorderly conduct, etc., on their record. How do these guys get into Canada?

BTW, we should reciprocate and not allow Dany Heatley (among others) into the US.

[SQUACKEE]

I believe the answer is jet aircraft.

[Mennisco]

I believe the answer is jet aircraft.

Oh come on, everyone knows it is by SKI-DOO, or dog sled team :lol:
A typical Canadian shelter for illegal aliens:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igloo

[gh]

Clearly it's not a rule/law that's followed very strictly (if it's indeed true). I've crossed the border hundreds (thousands?) of times and have certainly never had anybody ask "you a crim?"

In the post-9/11 era, even, they're frequently content just to look at ID, not run it into any kind of DB. And even in this age of encroaching Big Brotherism, if you had a robbery charge in Ohio 20 years ago and you've lived in good standing in Texas ever since, is there even an all-encompassing system that would flag you?

[Mennisco]

Clearly it's not a rule/law that's followed very strictly (if it's indeed true). I've crossed the border hundreds (thousands?) of times and have certainly never had anybody ask "you a crim?"

In the post-9/11 era, even, they're frequently content just to look at ID, not run it into any kind of DB. And even in this age of encroaching Big Brotherism, if you had a robbery charge in Ohio 20 years ago and you've lived in good standing in Texas ever since, is there even an all-encompassing system that would flag you?

Some people, not necessarily athletes, are making a big fuss over trouble getting into Canada:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/stor ... 02067b537b

[MJD]

"He said once Canadians hear the breadth of his complaints, they will rush to support him."

Not this Canadian.

[BillVol]

Guessing gh is probably right, but I did some digging and here is the official version. This from various Canadian government websites and embassy/consulate websites:

During the first five years after being convicted even of reckless driving, you are not admissible into Canada, period. After five years have passed since a conviction, you can apply to Canada to show that you have been "rehabilitated." This is a lengthy process and can take up to six months. I saw the form on a Canadian government website. You have to have all kinds of references from people and have to provide all types of information. After TEN years have passed since a conviction, assuming you have not been convicted of anything else during that time period, you are automatically considered by the Canadian government to be rehabilitated and simply have to fill out a form at immigration saying that you were convicted of a crime and ten years have passed. This only applies to misdemeanors; felonies are a different matter. The website said that if you lie on the immigration form you fill out on the plane and they see a conviction on the computer at immigration, you will be denied entry and subject to fines and perhaps other punishment.

[Mennisco]

"He said once Canadians hear the breadth of his complaints, they will rush to support him."

Not this Canadian.

Nor most if I may ballpark-gauge the sentiment of my fellow countrypersons.

"Slikkfordays, is the owner and executive producer of Murder Cap Records"

What a wonderful role model for human beings. Gang warfare in my former "neighbour" Hood resulted in a 10am 9-bullet murder in front of children, among others, last spring. Guess who the characters were? Baggy Pants, Swagger, Bling, and Dopey. The killing was unsolved as of last month and the subway tv screens were still posting for clues via Crimestoppers.

So very happy to have left South Central Toronto.

[SQUACKEE]

Why would anyone want to get into Canada anyway? :? They talk funny up there. :x Isnt that what were really talking a boot? :P

[mojo]

Why would anyone want to get into Canada anyway? :? They talk funny up there. :x Isnt that what were really talking a boot? :P

Did you know that in one native Indian dialect SQUACKEE means "pasty, skinny white guy who is envious of Canucks".

REALLY!

[bad hammy]

Maybe we should be keeping the Canadians out. Parade Magazine this past weekend indicated that while crime in the US is still an obvious problem, we are slipping some compared to other nations. They specifically mentioned that we were only third in the number of rapes per capita, behind South Africa and Canada . . . :shock:

[MJD]

Seriously? I'd like to see that cite.

[bad hammy]

Seriously? I'd like to see that cite.

Under Crime Prevention: http://www.parade.com/articles/editions ... Number_One

[bad hammy]

According to wiki, Canada's rape rate is almost 250% of that in the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Canada

[mojo]

This line is very important (and conveniently ignored) :wink: :

"However the definition of rape differs in the two countries, as Canada's rate includes the broader defined Sexual Assault making an accurate comparison difficult. "