2010 Olympics

[Topaz]

I found this article and I was surprised by the topic of barring US citizens who may have been convicted of DUI or even been charged from going to the Olympics. Why am I surprised? Because one, GW Bush , who has been convicted has been allowed to enter and if I was an American wanting into the Canada, I would be very peeved off for the double-standard policy. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091230/utravel/oly_dui_border

[Guest American Woman]

Seattle lawyer Scott Fox says he's had a client turned away from the border even though he had only been charged, not convicted.

Evidently in Canada, "charged" is equal to "guilty."

[Wilber]

Seattle lawyer Scott Fox says he's had a client turned away from the border even though he had only been charged, not convicted.

Evidently in Canada, "charged" is equal to "guilty."

We have no legal status when it comes to the right to enter each others country because we have no such right. Either country can deny entry for any reason it sees fit.

[bill_barilko]

We have no legal status when it comes to the right to enter each others country because we have no such right. Either country can deny entry for any reason it sees fit.

Such as the wrong fillings in your teeth!

Seriously the people who write these stories have travelled very very little if at all.

[Guest American Woman]

We have no legal status when it comes to the right to enter each others country because we have no such right. Either country can deny entry for any reason it sees fit.

Of course they can, but I'm guessing there's an expectation that other people will have the right to attend when a nation is awarded the Olympic bid.

I'm sure other nationalities who have been charged with a DUI will be given the same consideration/treatment Americans are, and as the article says, those who have no idea such a charge could keep them out may find it "an expensive shock."

[Wilber]

Of course they can, but I'm guessing there's an expectation that other people will have the right to attend when a nation is awarded the Olympic bid.

I'm sure other nationalities who have been charged with a DUI will be given the same consideration/treatment Americans are, and as the article says, those who have no idea such a charge could keep them out may find it "an expensive shock."

I don't know why an Olympics would give anyone the idea they have the right to enter a foreign country but who knows. I don't always agree with some of the criteria used to keep people out however.

[M.Dancer]

I would be very peeved off for the double-standard policy.

Your inability to be corrected about the brain farts you post is legendary. How many times does it need to be pointed out to you that 10s of 1000s of americans with DUI convictions come to canada all the time before it sinks into your concrete head?

[Guest American Woman]

But AW, you were quite clearly offended by the American DUI-charge case. Surely you think that Canada owes nothing more to American citizens than vice versa.

The reason I'm taking issue with the DUI situation is because from what I'm reading, a lot of people are going to be in for a shock when they are not allowed into Canada for the Olympics. Actually, make that "a lot of Americans," since Americans are the only people mentioned in the articles I'm reading out of Canada.

So first of all, I hope that Americans aren't going to be held to different standards than others are.

Secondly, I've read that Canada is not going to do anything to 'warn' all the people they expect to enter/attempt to enter Canada for the Olympics about this stipulation. These are people who will have spent a lot of money on travel, tickets, and accommodations, only to be "shocked"/turned away.

When a country is awarded the Olympic bid, I see that country as an ambassador/the host of good will, as that is what the Olympics are supposed to be about. Canada could very well, knowing beforehand that people are going to be in for an expensive shock, post a 'warning' on it's Travel page. I see the failure to do that as less than 'good will,' and I'm sure it will do nothing to advance good feelings towards Canada. I think Canada should at least attempt to inform people before they make a huge investment in attending the Olympics that they may very well not be allowed in on the basis of a past DUI charge/conviction.

[bush_cheney2004]

The reason I'm taking issue with the DUI situation is because from what I'm reading, a lot of people are going to be in for a shock when they are not allowed into Canada for the Olympics. Actually, make that "a lot of Americans," since Americans are the only people mentioned in the articles I'm reading out of Canada.

Guess what....it's not always about Americans. Imagine that....

So first of all, I hope that Americans aren't going to be held to different standards than others are.

Why? Americans do it all the time.

Secondly, I've read that Canada is not going to do anything to 'warn' all the people they expect to enter/attempt to enter Canada for the Olympics about this stipulation. These are people who will have spent a lot of money on travel, tickets, and accommodations, only to be "shocked"/turned away.

Stupid is as stupid does.

When a country is awarded the Olympic bid, I see that country as an ambassador/the host of good will, as that is what the Olympics are supposed to be about. Canada could very well, knowing beforehand that people are going to be in for an expensive shock, post a 'warning' on it's Travel page. I see the failure to do that as less than 'good will,' and I'm sure it will do nothing to advance good feelings towards Canada. I think Canada should at least attempt to inform people before they make a huge investment in attending the Olympics that they may very well not be allowed in on the basis of a past DUI charge/conviction.

Oh Christ....now we have a self appointed arbiter of what Canada (and other Olympic host nations) should or should not do. I wonder if that would work for China too? LOL!

[Born Free]

http://www.1800duilaws.com/article/travel_to_canada.asp

the Canada Immigration Act says there is a provision that permits discretionary entry:

A senior immigration officer or an adjudicator, as the case may be, may grant entry to any person who is a member of an inadmissible class described in subsection (2) subject to such terms and conditions as the officer or adjudicator deems appropriate and for a period not exceeding thirty days, where, in the opinion of the officer or adjudicator, the purpose for which entry is sought justifies admission.

I imagine that few will be turned away at the border if the visitor has a DUI conviction.

[Shakeyhands]

the American visitor most likely failed the "attitude test"... silly.

[eyeball]

I don't know why an Olympics would give anyone the idea they have the right to enter a foreign country but who knows.

Considering the IOC has effectively trumped our Charter Rights...who really knows how much influence it can exert? It seems to have this unnerving creepy ability to turn people and even whole governments into the most obsequious toadies to it's authority, an ability that is unmatched by any other international institution I can think of.

Edited January 8, 2010 by eyeball

[Born Free]

Considering the IOC has effectively trumped our Charter Rights...

Explain please....

[eyeball]

Women's ski jumping.

[Wilber]

Women's ski jumping.

Canadian courts have said that no one has a right to be in the Olympics but it seems the IOC has violated its own supposed policy of allowing equal access to both sexes. Rugby Sevens will be included in the 2016 Olympics . I don't know if women play Sevens but womens league teams are pretty well represented in tournaments in this area. Will they be next?

[Born Free]

Women's ski jumping.

Incorrect. Essentially, the decision taken by the IOC is not under the jurisdiction of Canadian law....at least according to the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Lastly, the IOC had made its ruling to exclude women's ski jumping based on IOC rules. I surmise that women's ski jumping will make it in 2014.

[Further North]

Does the DUI rules vary from province to province? I'm considering a job opportunity in Calgary and my Dad pointed out that neither he nor my brother would be able to enter Canada to visit me because of their past DUIs. In Sault St. Marie, Ont a friend of mine had to pay a few hundred dollars for a "get out of jail free" card for his fiancee who had a DUI to get into the country.

IMO this is really a minor stumbling block in my decision though. I love both my parents to death but I can count on one hand how many times both of them have visited me where I live in the last 6 years even though I've moved even closer to them (3 hrs away) in the past 3 years. I'd equate this to being no different then me moving out to California and having to fly home twice a year to see them.

[Wilber]

Does the DUI rules vary from province to province?

Provinces have their own thresholds regarding blood alcohol content, fines and suspensions but as far as criminality is concerned, the criminal code is a federal jurisdiction so the law is the same everywhere. A province can fine you or take your license away under its own rules but only the federal law can give you a criminal record for driving while impaired. Short answer. No.

[Further North]

Provinces have their own thresholds regarding blood alcohol content, fines and suspensions but as far as criminality is concerned, the criminal code is a federal jurisdiction so the law is the same everywhere. A province can fine you or take your license away under its own rules but only the federal law can give you a criminal record for driving while impaired. Short answer. No.

Sorry I should clarify my question more. I meant as far as allowing people who have a prior DUI on record in the US to visit the country. I have read that they are more lenient in allowing entry if you are flying in vs. driving in, but I'm wondering if it varies by province.

[Smallc]

Sorry I should clarify my question more. I meant as far as allowing people who have a prior DUI on record in the US to visit the country. I have read that they are more lenient in allowing entry if you are flying in vs. driving in, but I'm wondering if it varies by province.

Because criminal law in Canada is exclusively within federal jurisdiction (unlike places like the US and Australia), the law on such things should not vary from province to province.

[wyly]

Sorry I should clarify my question more. I meant as far as allowing people who have a prior DUI on record in the US to visit the country. I have read that they are more lenient in allowing entry if you are flying in vs. driving in, but I'm wondering if it varies by province.

for entry into Canada check out this site and see if it applies to you in regards to DUI's http://www.1800duilaws.com/article/travel_to_canada.asp

depending on how recent the DUI was it could effect your insurance premiums...

[Wilber]

Sorry I should clarify my question more. I meant as far as allowing people who have a prior DUI on record in the US to visit the country. I have read that they are more lenient in allowing entry if you are flying in vs. driving in, but I'm wondering if it varies by province.

Couldn't say as to flying versus driving or any other inconsistencies but as in the US, who is allowed into the country is solely a federal jurisdiction. A province has no say in the matter.

[Uncle 3 dogs]

We have no legal status when it comes to the right to enter each others country because we have no such right. Either country can deny entry for any reason it sees fit.

Unless you are aboriginal. In wich case the "Medicine Line" can be crossed at will.

Edited June 19, 2010 by Uncle 3 dogs

[Further North]

for entry into Canada check out this site and see if it applies to you in regards to DUI's http://www.1800duilaws.com/article/travel_to_canada.asp

depending on how recent the DUI was it could effect your insurance premiums...

Thanks! Looks like my Dad may have a better chance of getting in because his DUI was over 10 years ago, but my brother's DUI was in the last 5 years. I don't know if it's worth taking a gamble on flying to Calgary, or driving 2 days to get there either!

[Guest American Woman]

Thanks! Looks like my Dad may have a better chance of getting in because his DUI was over 10 years ago, but my brother's DUI was in the last 5 years. I don't know if it's worth taking a gamble on flying to Calgary, or driving 2 days to get there either!

This is what our government travel site (travel.state.gov) says about travel to Canada:

Please Note: Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or Driving While Impaired (DWI)) may be barred from entering Canada and must obtain a special waiver well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible and how to overcome this finding, please refer to the Canadian citizenship and immigration website.

This guide explains when people might be considered inadmissible and under what conditions they can apply to overcome the inadmissibility. An application for rehabilitation and instructions on how to complete it are also included.