MONTREAL (AFP) - What used to be the world's longest undefended border has become a major headache for many Canadians trying to enter the United States as customs officials are calling those with any criminal offense record persona non grata in the United States.
After September 11, 2001, customs officials zealously applied a law prohibiting any foreign national with even a minor criminal record from entering the country, unless they get a waiver from the US government.
Quebec businessman Pierre Charade, who has crossed the US-Canadian border several times per year without the slightest of problems, was on a business trip to Florida with his colleagues when one youthful indiscretion stopped him in his tracks.
The TV producer, re-telling his recent travel woes, said an immigration officer searched through his computer for criminal records on him and his travel colleagues.
"When he came out of his office, he said to me: 'Sir, you are a criminal. You were arrested in Toronto 36 years ago,'" Charade said.
"I thought it was a joke. I even looked around for a hidden camera and then he said to me: 'No, you are not welcome in the United States.'"
For breaking a school window 20 years ago with some friends, Charade had been sentenced to a 100 dollar (72.50 US) fine.
The price he must pay today is much higher, on both professional and financial levels.
If Charade, in his 50s now, wants to cross the border eventually, he has no choice but to obtain a waiver, which costs an average of 250 US dollars.
Added to that are fees for Canadian groups to assist people in gaining the US waivers. They can range between 550 and 750 dollars (400-543 US dollars).
One of these groups, the Montreal-based National Pardon Center receives about 100 calls daily from businessmen, truck drivers and other Canadians obligated to clear their names for entry.
"For two years now, we've heard from a lot of people, who never had problems crossing the border, saying they were surprised to be refused entry," said spokesman Shereef Elshasei.
If US officials seem zealous the first instance a person with a criminal record tries to enter the United States, every other attempt risks resulting in the seizure of goods or even the locking up of the individual, he said.
"Everything is up to the discretion of the (US) agent," he said, noting that drunk driving infractions pass but not drug possession charges.
"Their methods are sometimes a bit cowboyish," Elshasei said.
Another case in point, according to the center's records, is a Montrealer, who was stopping in Miami on his way to the Caribbean.
"When he boarded, he was handcuffed and spent the night in jail before being sent directly back to Canada on a flight," he said.
For others, the problem is not so dramatic, but simply humiliating.
One businessman had to suffer through an agent asking, "Which one of you two is the criminal?," he said.
With Ottawa and Washington having strengthened bilateral cooperation to fight against terrorism, US Customs officials have access to computer criminal records from Canada's federal police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, making it easier to spot a minor infraction.
Between five and 10 percent of the 31 million Canadians have a criminal record.
Since US authorities accord only one-year to five-year waivers, Canadian sins could be a major bonanza for US coffers into the future.
If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
After September 11, 2001, customs officials zealously applied a law prohibiting any foreign national with even a minor criminal record from entering the country, unless they get a waiver from the US government.
Quebec businessman Pierre Charade, who has crossed the US-Canadian border several times per year without the slightest of problems, was on a business trip to Florida with his colleagues when one youthful indiscretion stopped him in his tracks.
The TV producer, re-telling his recent travel woes, said an immigration officer searched through his computer for criminal records on him and his travel colleagues.
"When he came out of his office, he said to me: 'Sir, you are a criminal. You were arrested in Toronto 36 years ago,'" Charade said.
"I thought it was a joke. I even looked around for a hidden camera and then he said to me: 'No, you are not welcome in the United States.'"
For breaking a school window 20 years ago with some friends, Charade had been sentenced to a 100 dollar (72.50 US) fine.
The price he must pay today is much higher, on both professional and financial levels.
If Charade, in his 50s now, wants to cross the border eventually, he has no choice but to obtain a waiver, which costs an average of 250 US dollars.
Added to that are fees for Canadian groups to assist people in gaining the US waivers. They can range between 550 and 750 dollars (400-543 US dollars).
One of these groups, the Montreal-based National Pardon Center receives about 100 calls daily from businessmen, truck drivers and other Canadians obligated to clear their names for entry.
"For two years now, we've heard from a lot of people, who never had problems crossing the border, saying they were surprised to be refused entry," said spokesman Shereef Elshasei.
If US officials seem zealous the first instance a person with a criminal record tries to enter the United States, every other attempt risks resulting in the seizure of goods or even the locking up of the individual, he said.
"Everything is up to the discretion of the (US) agent," he said, noting that drunk driving infractions pass but not drug possession charges.
"Their methods are sometimes a bit cowboyish," Elshasei said.
Another case in point, according to the center's records, is a Montrealer, who was stopping in Miami on his way to the Caribbean.
"When he boarded, he was handcuffed and spent the night in jail before being sent directly back to Canada on a flight," he said.
For others, the problem is not so dramatic, but simply humiliating.
One businessman had to suffer through an agent asking, "Which one of you two is the criminal?," he said.
With Ottawa and Washington having strengthened bilateral cooperation to fight against terrorism, US Customs officials have access to computer criminal records from Canada's federal police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, making it easier to spot a minor infraction.
Between five and 10 percent of the 31 million Canadians have a criminal record.
Since US authorities accord only one-year to five-year waivers, Canadian sins could be a major bonanza for US coffers into the future.
If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
I missed two flights on my way to Pheonix last year to meet up with the Lightspeed crew and I have no record! I guess I look like a terrorist or something. To be honest I wasn't prepared for all the questions and I must of looked guilty as hell! Well you live you learn! The good part is I got to seat in first class for all my aggravation! 
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