What’s All This Then!

Thinking about a visit to our neighbors to the north? I’m assuming that you live in the ol’ US of A and we’re talking about Canada. Otherwise, we’re talking about my nosy neighbors and not really worth a trip up the street.

I just wanted to warn you. Canada has made great use of its complete and unrestricted access to the American criminal database. To preserve Canadian national purity, anyone listed in that comprehensive database is not allowed to cross into the Great White North. Did you scalp tickets to a hockey games? Had a DUI thirty years ago? Regardless of how minor the offense or how long ago a youthful transgression took place, you ain’t makin’ a trip over that ther’ border.

It doesn’t help that America has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Either we are a bunch of sleazy, lawbreaking animals or we live in a nation full of burdensome, nitpicking laws. Not that Canada is without their share of idiotic laws. But for some reason, American border policy isn’t as restrictive on our Canadian visitors. But being an American can mean a sneeze in the wrong city and you’ll wind up as a legal statistic in the criminal database of a ‘free’ country.

I guess it could be worse. Imagine being a friendly Canadian visiting the wonders of the US. One jaywalking conviction and you’re stuck with here with the rest of us lawless Americans. How scary would that be, eh?