American visits to Canada at 25-year low

[Newsjock]

Video report: http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/mcdiarmid_ustourists051019....

http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/10/19/tr...

Americans aren't travelling to Canada like they used to. New figures show the number of U.S. visitors in August was the lowest since the late 1970s.

Statistics Canada said only 2.4 million Americans made the trip to Canada that month. That was down 5.9 per cent from July.

The drop hit all segments – same-day car trips, overnight car trips, and air travel.

Statistics Canada speculates that the high Canadian dollar played a role in keeping Americans at home, along with high gasoline prices.

more

[texpatriot2004]

1. That's because they are moving there.nt

[AspenRose]

37. Great minds think alike!

O, Canada!

[sarcasmo]

2. Not a higher dollar. It is much more difficult to cross the border since

9-11

[drdtroit]

10. Exactly. Who wants to sit in a 2 hour traffic jam

while US customs trot out the dog and pony show?

[Captain Hilts]

63. The higher Canuck Buck HAS cut down on travel.

It used to be much less expensive to go to Canada.

But, they're financially continent, and we're not. Hence the shifting values of the dollars.

[stevedeshazer]

3. People get f*ked with at the border

That's why.

Never a problem for a US citizen entering Canada.

BIG hassle returning to the US.

It's OUR fault.

[Newsjock]

5. Indeed

I'm reminded of the time in mid-2003, crossing the border at Blaine, Wash., back into the USA, when the U.S. guard asked, "Occupation?" and I said, "Journalist." His next question:

"What do you write about the war?"

To which I mumble about how I don't write, I design and edit, blather blather, and I think that satisfied him enough to let me back into my country.

[stevedeshazer]

8. I've been jacked around every time I've crossed into the US at Blaine

I was eighteen the first time. Last summer I was fifty.

Some things...get WORSE.

Then: Why did you enter Canada? Do you have a job?

Now: Repeat, lather, rinse.

Going IN to BC every time? "How long you staying? Have a nice day".

And we need the "Minuteman" brigade? Gimme a break.

[slampoet]

12. I've entered Canada at a dozen different points in my life...

...which isn't unusual when you're born 5 miles from the border and prefer to live North.

But the Blaine border is the worst.
I crossed peacefully 60 times before I ever got hassled and it was Blaine where I did first.

[stevedeshazer]

19. I've crossed maybe 20 times

In five places, as far as I can remember.

Hassled in Blaine every time (5-6 or so?)

Never a problem from Alberta and Saskatchewan to Montana and North Dakota or Osoyoos in Washington.

[Canuck55]

46. It might have changed recently...

...but for the longest time the Blaine & Knighthawk crossings were where they sent fresh customs officials for their first postings. So they are usually much more gung-ho and aggressive in searches/questioning. Detour over to Sumas and you can usually breeze through both ways.

[Captain Hilts]

62. I've been driving to Canada regularly since 1986 and...

two years ago I got pulled over on the 401 for "driving with a Virginia license plate." They said I was weaving in the lane. I wasn't. They just wanted to pull me over and go through the car.

I've been searched several times going into Canada as well.

In the 80s they used to let me bring in two cases of beer when I was only allotted one. I doubt I'd get away with that now.

[Sanity Claws]

67. I was also hassled at Blaine

In October 2001, I was having some work done in my house so I decided to take a couple of days off and go to Vancouver. The U.S. guard asked me my occupation and why I wasn't at work that day.
I felt like I was in high school answering to a truant officer. Unreal.

[kath]

20. OMFG!.. All the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, reading that.

Is it fascism yet?

[Tesha]

28. "I wrote the truth." (NT)

[steely]

9. Ain't that the truth - we just took a 10 day trip recently.

(caution - rant) We had NO problem going in near Niagra, but coming back S of Montreal was the worst headache - traffic backed up for a mile, 3 traffic lanes necked down to 2 causing confusion, then opening up to 8 lanes - and at each one people waited for a few minutes. And the questions were stupid, and then we had to listen to his friggin story. The guy we had was no hurry and it seemed like he was enjoying my wife's steaming. I couldn't tell if the guy had orders to take his time or what. In the end we waited for almost 2 hours.

[Theres-a]

27. Yep.

That's why i didn't go.

[indigo32]

43. I just went to Canada

We had no problems whatsoever. I crossed back to the US at Niagra Falls.

[WhiteTara]

52. this past trip home (2 wks ago) they barely

looked at our passports. When we went across last year, I didn't put down an actual exit date and the Canadians looked us over closely; didn't take the car apart or anything, but asked long questions. Coming home then, we were asked about buying pharmaceuticals, but no big deal. But everything in Canada was VERY expensive, even with the exchange. Especially gasoline. It is sold by the litre there and was 2.89 a LITRE! Yikes.

[DrDan]

58. we were in Quebec two weeks ago

- no problems whatsoever going in or leaving - but we were flying and made entry in Montreal

- gas prices were nowhere near what you experienced - we paid about $4.60 US a gallon - still more expensive than here, of course

The extra cost due to value of Canadian dollar was worth every penny! I'd go back in a second.

[Brundle_Fly]

68. actually since the end of katrina the highest

per litre gas price in Canada was $1.40 a litre.

I can find no record of anyplace charging $2.89 a litre.

[NVMojo]

57. it's like the US gov wants to ground us to our US rooms ....

keep us in a US bubble...

[skipos]

64. I cross the border often, you are 100% right. nt

[FormerRepublican]

4. No one has any money.

The only Americans who do are Bush Cronies, and they're busy raking in the cash and aren't interested in going to Canada.

[tnlefty]

7. I was thinking that perhaps a lot are saving money to move to

Canada and can't afford the visit first and then the move. Not that I've even thought about it, though. No, not me. Not me with a 15 yr. old son and 2 younger than he...nope, not at all.

[Montauk6]

6. This gas thing... ARGH!!!

Road trips? How likely with these tank prices? So what happens to the inns, roadside diners, souvenir trinket stores, rest stops, etc? Of course, the only survivors will be the bland, typical, anally same chain franchises.

Local... on life support, last rites around the corner...

[LostinVA]

11. Many people don't have passports

[hickman1937]

14. I don't think you need a passport to get into Canada.

But I haven't been there in 8 years.

[Massacure]

15. Bush tried to change that, but I don't know what happened to the idea.

[Sinistrous]

16. The passport rule is in place, it just has not taken effect yet. n/t

[Massacure]

18. Thanks for the response, do you know when it takes effect?

[Sinistrous]

21. Sorry, I do not know when it goes into effect.

The shame of it is, I just discussed it with my Toronto-living sister-in-law a couple of weeks ago.

[DrDan]

60. takes effect Jan 1

[LostinVA]

30. I thought it had taken effect already -- sorry.

[SeattleVet]

17. A passport is not needed to get into Canada, but it

sure makes it a lot easier getting back into our own country.

Getting into Canada is usually a breeze - "What is the purpose of your visit? Any firearms? Welcome to Canada, have a nice stay." Through the border in 30 seconds or less.

It's getting back into the USA the deters a lot of people who used to make casual trips back and forth. I know that we head north a lot less now than when it was a lot easier to come back home. When we do go we allow a lot of extra time for the trip back.

[Captain Hilts]

65. I use my expired passport. Works fine. nt

[Tesha]

29. Passports make it a lot easier, though. (NT)

[DrDan]

59. it'll all change on Jan 1

until then, no passports needed

[0007]

13. People aren't traveling as much these days. At least the

middle class.

[hickman1937]

22. The lower middle class is too busy bending over and kissing

its ass goodbye. We are entering third world status, and well aware of it, at least some of us.

[0007]

42. ..ain't that the truth? | n/t |

[Darranar]

23. How does this compare to rates of tourism in general? n/t

[rfkrfk]

24. US WalMarts, just as good as Canadian WalMarts, why bother n.t

[achtung_circus]

25. Wal-Mart

the reason for my existence.

My business in BC failed in 2003 due to the falling numbers of US visitors. Part of that was tjhe strong Canadian dollar, part was a very bad fire season, being able to see the highway helps when driving. When all you can see is smoke and all you can hear is water bombers that tends to depress things.

But having the car taken apart by US customs looking for Aspirin codeine doesn't help. It took one hour at a border crossing with an apparently bored agent. What's wrong with 222's? They are a common painkiller in Canada- apparently they are the slippery slope to crystal meth in the US.

[1932]

26. Does that mean I'll never hear the phrase "signature bridge" again?

[BiggJawn]

31. No money to travel?

That works for me...
That border crossing CF doesn't sound like much fun, either....

[sufrommich]

40. O/T

The Demon Haunted World is one of my favorite books of all time.I can't tell you how many people I've loaned it to and begged them to read it.
Back on topic,I've never had a problem crossing to and from Canada from either Detroit or Sault Ste. Marie.Just went to Windsor last weekend with friends and breezed right through.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

32. Two questions:

1) How many Americans are moving there?

2) Are the Fox News hyenas going to laugh about this and cite it as evidence that Americans are "angry" about Canada's refusal to join the invasion of Iraq?

[4dsc]

33. The hell with Canada

Consider the fact that if you have a minor violation of the law on your record, AKA a misdemeaner, then you cannot visit Canada.. they SUCK and I won't go there again!! Had a great time while I was there last though!! I love Toronto!!

[Canuckistanian]

34. No, I don't think that's quite right.

Canada usually denies entry to convicted felons (such as Martha Stewart) but regularly makes exceptions (as they did with Martha).

As for misdemeanours? I've never heard of that one before and I don't think we'd put up with it for long.

[High Plains]

35. Sorry, Canada DOES turn people away for minor offenses

Entry is totally at the discretion of the border guards. People get turned away for old DWIs, ancient pot possession charges, whatever. Any crime, no matter how old or puny, can be the basis for a refusal of entry.

The most common circumstance in my experience is the American stoner kid who has heard about Canada's fabled cannabis tolerance, buys a ticket from Alabama (or wherever) to Vancouver, then gets turned back at the airport because he got popped for a joint a few years earlier.

On the other hand, even if you have a felony conviction, you can apply to Immigration Canada to be "rehabilitated;" then they'll let you in--after you pay a few hundred dollars in fees.

[Canuckistanian]

45. Well, 4dsc was talking about misdemeanours

And a misdemeanour in my book means speeding or parking ticket or littering, something like that.

DWI's are pretty serious, so that's not a big deal to me.

[High Plains]

48. Misdemeanors are more serious than speeding tickets...

...but less serious than felonies. In the US, misdemeanors are crimes typically punishable by less than one year in jail; felonies are crimes punishable by more than one year in jail. Simple pot possession and DWIs are both misdemeanors in the US.

Immigration Canada compares your US offense to the equivalent Canadian offense and acts accordingly, but they will still bar you from entry for a misdemeanor if they feel like it.

[CHIMO]

51. Perhaps

A big difference is in understanding that the rules for offences are different.

Found this from a government site.

Persons who are inadmissaible to Canada

Members of Inadmissible Classes include those who have been convicted of MINOR OFFENCES (including shoplifting, theft, assault, dangerous driving, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of illegal substances, etc.), or of INDICTABLE CRIMINAL OFFENCES (including assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, etc.). As well, those who have been convicted of DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (DWI) are considered Members of an Inadmissible Class. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is regarded as an extremely serious offence in Canada.

Those who have received TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS (including parking/speeding tickets, etc.) and other minor violations (i.e. littering, etc.) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada. Similarly, those who have JUVENILE CONVICTIONS (convictions for crimes committed while under age 18) most likely will NOT be prohibited from entering Canada unless they could have been tried as an adult for their offences.

http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/washington/visas/in...

There is a bit more at the site. Things have changed quite a bit since 9/11.

[AspenRose]

38. GWB was an exception, too!

DWI, anyone?

[daleo]

36. I was turned away at the U.S. border once for having hiking boots

They said they thought I was looking for a job. I know people who have been turned away from the U.S. border for pot possession charges they got in the 1970's.

I am just saying this cuts both ways, and border guards have incredibly wide discretion. It can get stupid.

[CountAllVotes]

41. my friend went to Canada recently

he was harrassed at the border. They asked him, "What illegal drugs to you have with you?" He told them he did not have any drugs, illegal or legal! They then searched his car. He was pissed but got through the border.

He has vowed to never go back to Canada again after this last time. His sister lives there btw and no, I do not blame him one bit.

[noonwitch]

39. It's become more of a pain on the US side

1. You have to have your birth certificate or a passport to get back in after visiting Canada. I think in a couple of years, you will have to have a passport to do so.
2. The lines in Detroit for the tunnel and the bridge can get really long, and driving to Port Huron is a pain.

I used to go out to eat in Windsor once in a while, go shopping at the mall there, and, when I had gallstones, I used to buy 222s over the counter. Guys used to go so they could buy cuban cigars to bring back. It's just too much of a hassle to bother with anymore. Nothing against the canadians, though.

If Roe v Wade gets overturned, I would imagine border crosssing for pregnant women could get complicated, as abortion is legal in Canada.

[TedsGarage]

44. I spent 6 weeks in Canada this summer

I was researching a book on the Great Lakes. I had more trouble getting in. Had to wait 20 minutes and answer lots of questions about my project at Pigeon River, near Thunder Bay. Came back on a ferry at Cape Vincent, N.Y., which was a snap. But in general, lines are longer going into the U.S., and a lot of Americans in places like Sault Ste. Marie or Buffalo are thinking twice about crossing the border just for dinner.

[wordpix]

47. Calgary airport entry a snap

with a US birth certificate, no passport. Passport requirements are changing; requirements was to be end of '05, now I think it will be end of '06 but you can check via web. As for entry, there are many vistors through Calgary to Can. Rocky Mt. parks and customs officials barely looked at me with my backpack, hiking boots, etc. The dollar is a problem and so is gas price---now about $3.80/gal. US in Calgary. Doesn't take long or far to spend a lot on gas b/c distances between cities and towns are far.

[Xithras]

50. All of the air entries typically are. It's only the land border that sucks

It's interesting to compare the two. I have relatives and have driven to Canada several times. I've been harrassed every single time (long waits, tons of questions) about an ancient theft conviction...I borrowed a friends bike without asking when I was 18 (we were good friends and borrowed each others things regularly, it wasn't a big deal) and the bike got stolen while I had it. My friends dad freaked and, since he legally owned it, had me prosecuted. Stupid, but enough to get them to harass me and, in one case, turn me away from the border.

On the flipside, I've never even been questioned about it the half-dozen times I've flown into Canada. I get these three questions: "Are you carrying any contraband? Are you here on business? How long will you be staying?" The criminal thing never even comes up, and I always get a smile and a "Have a nice visit!" afterward.

This is why I don't drive to Canada anymore. It's simply not worth the hassle. When I go, I fly.

[Missy Vixen]

49. One would also be detained in Canada indefinitely

if there is another terrorist attack during one's visit. According to the AP article I read a few years back (buried, of course, on one of the back pages of the Seattle Times,) the borders would be sealed and one wouldn't be able to get back into the USA.

We're two hours from Canada and have been there ONCE during the Bush administration. We used to visit Canada quite often previously. We won't be back until * is out of office. During our last visit, I had a nice conversation with a Canadian citizen about *. I apologized to him on behalf of the people of the United States. Canada (and Canadians,) have always been our friends, and have come to the defense and aid of the United States more than once.

Julie

[pitohui]

61. this happened to stephen jay gould

on 9-11 his plane incoming nyc was diverted to halifax & they were not allowed to enter the usa for another week, he says the ppl of halifax were really kind & opened their hearts to him & his mom tho, detained don't necessarily mean the canadians will open their own version of gitmo or something, indeed, i doubt they would

one of gould's last books, i have landed, tells the story

[RaulGroom]

53. Weird. I went to Canada for the first time in August.

Stange coincidence from my perspective.

[Rich Hunt]

54. LOL

Maybe they couldn't make it through customs!

[demzilla]

55. "Did you buy any cat food in Canada?"

The hassle factor must depend upon what you look like. My wife and I went to Canada during the summer of 2004 with our cat in a Toyota Prius. While not exactly the all-American family, we looked very unthreatening. No problem getting in, even with the cat, which the Canadians could have cared less about.

Returning (Port Huron, Michigan) was kind of funny. It didn't take long, and all the US customs guy wanted to know was, "Did you buy any cat food in Canada?" I think he was concerned about American cats coming down with Mad Cow.

A quick "no" and we were on our way.

[Missy Vixen]

66. We drew the secondary search over cat food!

>"Did you buy any cat food in Canada?"<

Uh, yeah, and it was manufactured in the USA and still sealed in the bag. Didn't matter. We were returning from a cat show, and were asked to unload the car and everything in it. Our two Maine Coon boys were in their carriers in the back seat. When the customs agent saw Oscar the kitten, she asked if she could pet him. I took him out of his carrier and handed him to her. After getting some scratchy kitty kisses and headbutts, she said, "You can go."

DH looked at me as we got back on the freeway and said, "Why didn't we take the cats out first?"

Julie

[NVMojo]

56. yeah, messing with the Homeland dudes makes it more complicated

at the border too ...

[pokercat999]

69. I have free airfare to Europe, free hotel and my

wife was born there. However there is no disguising the fact that I'm a plain old American. With our image in the world today I can't find the courage to go.