Canadians 'treated like criminals' at border

The Ottawa Citizen - Canada ^ | 10-31-02 | Aaron Sands

[KneelBeforeZod]

WAH WAH. I have a friend whose granddaughter was mixed race. She was driving to Canada and they almost had a meltdown wondering where this "brown" kid came from and what is she doing with this white woman.They thought she was kidnapping the kid. (I guess its OK for the same race to kidnap each other up there)

At the toronto airport a few years ago, they wouldn't let a guy take a 18" or so piece of rope on the plane he used to tie his briefcase to his roll on bag. He said what about my belt and the computer cables then? Whats the difference? The security women (as dumb as ours i guess) didnt say anything, just took his rope away.

Sure sucks when someone gives you the same 3rd degree you give everyone else.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Treated like A Flock of Seagulls.

[Diddle E. Squat]

They were from Iran, Iran so far away.

[FITZ]

Why are they dealing with US Customs when leaving the USA?

Muslims are known to lie. They don't deal with US Customs when they're leaving the US.

[Former Proud Canadian]

On the way home, only three days later, U.S. government agents forced the couple through the motions again

Yes this is very strange. As most everyone knows there is NO CHECK WHEN YOU LEAVE THE US. Either this guy is lying or he was misquoted. The reporter should have known better too but you can't expect much more from this paper.

[Snowyman]

They would have been dealing with Canadian customs but too stupid to know the difference. (Or maybe they just want to rag on the U.S.)

I'm thinking that there have been a lot of these articles lately in the Canadian press and they all have an anti American bent. Liberal media mis-representing the Canadian people and how they feel about this. Maybe it's an attempt to justify Chertien's stupid remarks and Graham's weak wrist approach to International Affairs. I've been questioned everytime I enter the US (I was once denied access,) and it's no big deal. Although I would refuse finger printing and personal info. past identifying myself.

[alisasny]

Ok, I am thinking that they came in October 14th for Canada's "Thanksgiving" and the agents didnt realize that and were suspicious since our Thanksgiving is not till the end of November. I figure it a bit of confusion however there is no way the US customs bothered them when they returned to Canada.

[Tacis]

"Canadians 'treated like criminals' at border"

Well, it is about time!!

Now, while I certainly don't want to offend Presidente Fox nor any of his drug lord business partners, HOW ABOUT THE OTHER FRIGGEN BORDER????

[Mamzelle]

OK, I have to know, what's a schmatka guava? Sounds like some sort of matzah fruit...

[Not A Democrat]

Good. Last time I checked, we're at war. We're trying to protect our country here. Any Tom, Dick, and Abdul can get into Canada. We've got to protect our borders (north and south, I may add).

For whatever it's worth: I'm as WASP as they come, and I was interrogated at the border by US Border Patrol agents returning from Montreal about two months ago. They asked me where I lived, why I was in Canada, how I got my rental car (or why I had a Texas driver's license and a New York plate), and several other questions. I also had to get out of my rented gas-guzzling, air-polluting SUV and open the trunk so they could check luggage. I had to wait in line 30 minutes at the border before I received this privilege. It was a lot easier to drive into Canada than it was to drive into the US, that's for sure. Sadly, that's the way it ought to be.

After they were through, I thanked them for protecting our country. They were doing their job. We've got to protect our borders somehow.

[Salgak]

Maybe three to five. I'd take the prairie provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), and the North (Yukon, NW Territories). BC is too liberal, Ontario is worse, and to hell with the Froggies in Quebec. And the Maritimes are an economic basket case. . .

[Prodigal Son]

6 potential brand new states...?

You know, the funny thing is, Canada had a great opportunity to be part of the United States and never took it. The Articles of Confederation, Article 11 (?) extends membership to the confederation to Canada- there wouldn't have even been a vote on it, the Articles simply states that it will take place (if Canada so chose). I think it's too late now, but they should've jumped on that bandwagon while they had the chance.

[Denver Ditdat]

"What is your address? When and where were you born? Where do you work? What is your telephone number? What is your business here? Where are you going? For how long? What are your parents' names? What are your parents' birthdates? What did they do?"

Don't forget "Are you bringing any firearms into Canada?" and "Do you OWN any firearms?"

A friend and I were asked the latter question in the late 80s, and his response was "ALL red-blooded Americans own firearms!" The look on the border agent's face was priceless - as if someone had held a turd under his nose and asked him to take a sniff. We had to pull over for the full-bore search, of course, but it was worth it.

[Thud]

Coulda been worse. They might have gone to Disneyland and then tried to fly back to Canada.

[John O]

Calling the system discriminatory, the Foreign Affairs department has issued an unusual travel advisory urging Canadian citizens born in countries targeted by U.S. anti-terrorism policies to think twice about visiting the U.S.

Isn't it great to get feedback that the policy is actually working!

Islam is the enemy

God Save America (Please)

[1Old Pro]

Good, I'm glad we are profiling.

[Flint]

Glad to hear INS and Customs is doing their job for a change.

[albertabound]

Exactly, as a Canadian native son, I am glad these people are being thoroughly searched and checked out. If the Ottawa liberal wimpy media wants to bitch at somebody , try Haddam Hussien