I heard that if you have a misdemeanor in the US that you can not go to Canada?

Question

I heard that in Canada that is considered a felony and Canada will not let you in with a felony. Why is the legal system so much different?

Answer 1

Very untrue. Because Canada doesn't have felonies, just like we don't have misdemeanors. Those are American terms, and therefore maybe our systems are EVEN MORE different than you think. Why? Because we are an independent country.

The rule for entering Canada is if you committed a crime that has a maximum jail term of 10 years or more and is also a crime in Canada then you can't get in for at least 5 years, maybe even 10 years. Your actual penalty received is irrelevant. The consider Americans ability to plea bargain, or pay your way out of serious time via a high priced lawyer, and that penalties in the US seemed skewed by race. So that Canada considers a guideline right out of the book, means we are more fare on applying equal consideration to each American entering Canada.

And for the record, a Canadian who is convicted of smoking marijuana or asking a prostitute how much will be denied entry into the US. The systems are very much the same this way, that small crimes can keep you out.

The other thing is it is the USA that complained long and loud that Canada borders are insecure. So we tightened up on enforcing our regulations. To make it more secure, we are more diligent at keeping criminals out. Surprise, surprise, that includes keeping American criminals out. You can't have it both ways, do you want a more secure Canadian border or more freedom for American criminals?

Answer 2

be very clear that I had ben turned away just for a usa misdemeanor record that happened 15 years ago.

Answer 3

Canada feels very strongly about certain things, like drinking and driving. To protect the citizens of Canada, it was decided to not allow someone who had been convicted of things like that entry to the country.

The two sites I have listed have info...this one was the shortest of the two; both have info on how to apply for a pardon so you wont have to worry about being turned away at the border.

Persons Who Are Inadmissible to Canada

Persons who have been convicted of a CRIMINAL OFFENCE in ANY COUNTRY may be INADMISSIBLE TO CANADA as a result of their criminal record. Even persons who do not require a Visa to enter Canada may still be refused permission to enter Canada if they are MEMBERS OF AN INADMISSIBLE CLASS.

INADMISSIBLE CLASSES:

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.

Answer 4

Non-sense.

Answer 5

FALSE