Border Crossing News

Do I need a Passport to come to Canada and return to the US?
From the US State Dept....As of January 23, 2007 all persons entering the US by air must have a passport including US citizens re-entering. January 1, 2008 all persons entering the US by any mode of transportation (auto, boat, train, bus, etc.) must pocess a passport including US citizens re-entering. FYI...Passports are now $97.oo for adults, $82.00 16 years and under, $67.00 for renewals. New passport applicants must now apply in person at one of 7,000 application sites such as some post offices, courthouses, and libraries. Renewals may be applied for by mail. Average turnaround time for new applicants is 6 weeks. Expedited service is 2 weeks for additional fee. Urgent Passport Needs 1-877-487-2778. Documents required: proof of US citizenship, government photo id, two passport photos, and fee. Information: http://travel.state.gov/

Crossing the Border This Year (May 28, 2006)
Nothing has really changed since last year. As in the past, a picture i.d. is essential. It might not be a bad idea to bring a second piece of identification as well. i.e. birth certificate, voter registration, or better yet, your passport if you have one. Many have heard the passport is now essential, but that has not yet gone into effect...both the US and Canada may at some point make it mandatory, but they are still working on that. As far as potatoes, they are still not allowed, though some are coming across. Limits on beef coming across is 11 pounds per person, not much to worry about there. DUIs/felonies remain the same as far as anything we've heard. For more information on any of the items, please call CFIA-Importation Information at 1-800-442-2342. We'll keep you posted if anything changes. Drive safe.

DUI's/Felonies
This information is from the Patricia Regional Tourist Council Newsletter dated May 21, 2002.

Many of you [tourist operators] have experienced disgruntled guests in the past. Some visitors are being questioned at the border regarding past minor offenses (including DWI/DUI's). If a past offense showed up, the person was allowed to enter Canada only after paying a $200 one time entry fee. Obviously, this had a damaging effect on our tourism, and was the cause for many cancellations over the past few months. Through the hard work of some camp operators, there are changes coming down the pipe. As of June 28th, we understand that Bill-11 (a new law) will come into effect. Our best information indicates that minor felonies over 10 years old, will no longer be cause to prevent entry to Canada. If the offense is between 5-10 years, there will be a rehabilitation process. Your guests can apply at the border by calling in advance. After rehabilitation, the person will be allowed entry to Canada on a permanent basis. If the offense is under 5 years, the person must apply for a permit annually. They should phone in advance to see if they are eligible. Once they receive this permit, it is good for 6 months. This information is tentative only! If you want official clarification, please call Canada Customs in Ft. Frances 807-274-3655. Also, in 2004, the Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration Canada instituted a self-assessment help line for guests who were concerned about being criminally inadmissible into Canada. The number to call is (807) 624-2158.

Potato Ban. More to it than meets the eye
Despite rumors the ban on potatoes may be retaliatory, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says the ban has been on for quite sometime. And it's not one-way, you cannot bring them to/from either country. There is also a US ban on bringing potatoes from Canada to the US.

Canada Customs received the memo from CFIA in September 2002 indicating a restriction on potato imports because of Mop Top Virus. Unless potatoes are accompanied by a USDA certificate of inspection they can not be brought into Canada. That is how stores can sell American grown potatoes. They can not be brought in even if the bag they are in from the store says they have been USDA inspected. They have to be accompanied by the inspection certificate, hardly worth the trouble by the consumer to get them inspected.

Customs has been enforcing the potato ban since last Sept. but it's been more noticeable lately because of the time of year and more people coming in with groceries. The problem is compounded by the fact...US customs won't allow the potatoes back into the US. A sign is posted just before customs telling people they cannot take any U.S. grown potatoes into Canada. The law that prohibits uninspected potatoes into Canada is the same on the U.S. side.

More recently, agents from CFIA discovered the borders were not enforcing the law, they were sent an enforcement memo, hence what seems to be the sudden outcry of enforcement.

Customs officials enforce 70-80 pieces of legislation, so it's just not possible to make every question/enforcement a primary one.

It has been noted that Mop Top Virus does not affect humans or animals, nor does it affect the potatoes. It's affects are only to tobacco plants planted nearby affected potatoes.

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Fly-In Fishing & Hunting on World Class Lake Savant in Northwest Ontario Canada