Riding into Canada

We are planning a trip up through Montana through Glacier National Park and want to go up into Canada. We plan to arrange for a non-resident Inter Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card for travel in Canada, and take our passports. Any suggestions of things to see or obstacles to avoid?

I think/thought US insurance is good in Canada----I go in several times a year

the7smiths wrote:

Any suggestions of things to see or obstacles to avoid?

DO NOT bring a handgun with you, licensed or not. DO NOT bring any drugs or contraband.
DO NOT lie at the border crossing. If you have any unresolved criminal cases or convictions in the US, don't even bother coming. Other than that, your US vehicle insurance is valid in Canada. Your medical coverage may or may not be; check with your provider. If you are carrying prescription drugs, make sure they're not loose, but in the prescribed container with all the info. There are requirements for cash entering Canada as well. Don't bring too much. I don't know what the limit is. The border agents need proof that you're not coming here under false pretences to stay permanently, so a trip itinerary with proof of your destination or a list of your Canadian contacts may be asked for. It sounds burgeoning, but it really isn't. If you don't trigger any alarms in your initial interview at the border crossing, you will be quickly and efficiently allowed entry. If you are suspect of anything, be prepared for a mutli-hour interrogation.

Terry,

How are Americans expected to have any fun if we can't Lie, bring Guns or Drugs? These are all my favorite hobbies here. I wish we were this strict in the U.S. then maybe we wouldn't have all the illegals here.

JeffR_ wrote:

Terry,

How are Americans expected to have any fun if we can't Lie, bring Guns or Drugs?  These are all my favorite hobbies here.  I wish we were this strict in the U.S. then maybe we wouldn't have all the illegals here.

Jeff, I guess that's why not too many Americans ever venture in to the Great White North. Too many rules and gov't controls from what you're used to. If a Canadian wants to own a handgun, they must join a gun club, the gun cannot be transported anywhere without a 1 time transport permit, and the gun must be locked in a gun safe at all times in the owner's home. Of all my friends and acquaintances, only 1 owns a handgun, and he's an Israel born immigrant who was a sniper in the Israeli army. Nobody here even wants to own weapons. Any handguns used in crimes inevitably are smuggled in from the US and sold through gangs. Owning rifles for hunting is almost as difficult. You just don't have to join a gun club and you can transport them without a permit. But you must be gov't licensed to own and operate a rifle.

Boarder guards are mostly involved with tax and duty collection from Canadians on behalf of the Canadian Governments.
Alcohol is 200-300% more expensive to buy in liquor stores in Canada (in bc anyway) than the US due to fees and taxes and you be will be limited to how much you can bring with you. Most likely the same with cigarettes.

Don't plan on buying much, it's for the most part too expensive here. Gas up before you cross the boarder then prepared to be gouged for every fill up whilst in Canada.

Check you travel and healthcare insurance coverage.

Canada does not like weapons unless you are a peace officer or in the armed forces (not a bad thing in my view).

Have a great time, enjoy the people and the scenery. Canada's best asset.

Don't lie. Good advice!

Both BigBird  & Chilliwing are spot on with their warnings about potential and actual problems associated w/ Americans visiting Canada.
My wife and I made our first and last trip to Canada last year to visit snowbird friends we had met while they were in Florida. Knowing the gun laws in Canada, I had made provisions to leave my handgun at the Watertown, NY police department. They provided this courtesy to me as a retired Trooper. When being questioned at the point of entry, the gate guard noticed an empty holster laying on the dash of the car. That was all he needed to send us to the inspection area, where we were treated like drug, gun and money smugglers. Guards completely emptied all of our belongings onto the pavement, Unloading each and every bag, no matter how large or small. Each time they came across any vestige of anything associated with a firearm, like the holster, spare ammo in my brief case, it only encouraged them to dig deeper. Of course they found nothing, as nothing was there for them to find. But the humiliation and delay in reaching our destination was enough to form the opinion that this would be the last trip into this land. Our friends we visited apologized for the treatment we had received, but were not surprised. When they visit us in Florida, they enjoy the pleasure and freedom we Americans enjoy. We go shooting, especially handguns. They keep handguns in their home while here and enjoy the freedom of doing so. They hate to have to return to Canada when their 6 month time limit here is over. They also enjoy the prices of fuel, food and beer.
I will admit that, other than the guards, all the people we met in Canada were very friendly and down to earth folks. I feel sorry for you Canadians that you cannot enjoy the same freedoms and prices we have here in America. Perhaps, if more of you traveled here to visit/live, your government would catch on to the money that is being spent elsewhere simply because of their self-imposed restrictions on enjoying life.

I assume the trip was not on bike or scooter.

I go in Canada at least twice a year on bike. See no problem with them protecting their borders and keep stuff out, have your ducks in order and their are no problems, knowing what they might look for ahead of time--they are not happy with gun stuff or drugs.

Enjoy a trip to Canada on your bike.

AV-40 wrote:

Guards completely emptied all of our belongings onto the pavement....  Each time they came across any vestige of anything associated with a firearm, like the holster, spare ammo in my brief case, it only encouraged them to dig deeper. Of course they found nothing, as nothing was there for them to find.

Spare ammo!   

We have a saying in the UK. "There's no smoke without fire". If you try to cross an international border with items (including live ammunition!) indicative of possessing a firearm, is there any wonder that officials would treat you with suspicion?

This may be a little off topic but, in the aftermath of a recent event in California, would someone care to explain the US obsession with owning, carrying and using guns?

 

bigbird wrote:

JeffR_ wrote:

Terry,

How are Americans expected to have any fun if we can't Lie, bring Guns or Drugs?  These are all my favorite hobbies here.  I wish we were this strict in the U.S. then maybe we wouldn't have all the illegals here.

Jeff, I guess that's why not too many Americans ever venture in to the Great White North. Too many rules and gov't controls from what you're used to. If a Canadian wants to own a handgun, they must join a gun club, the gun cannot be transported anywhere without a 1 time transport permit, and the gun must be locked in a gun safe at all times in the owner's home. Of all my friends and acquaintances, only 1 owns a handgun, and he's an Israel born immigrant who was a sniper in the Israeli army. Nobody here even wants to own weapons. Any handguns used in crimes inevitably are smuggled in from the US and sold through gangs. Owning rifles for hunting is almost as difficult. You just don't have to join a gun club and you can transport them without a permit. But you must be gov't licensed to own and operate a rifle.

Terry,

I have never owned a gun but was trained to use them in the Marines.  I would think that if people were to cross the borders to any country that they would read up on the laws.  Some states here have very lax laws so the people in those states seem to be very comfortable taking a gun anywhere.  I was in a 7-11 in Arizona once when a guy walks in wearing a holster and pistol and no one thought it was strange.  I never saw that in Illiinois where I lived in before moving to California and certainly never in California.

AV-40 wrote:

When they visit us in Florida, they enjoy the pleasure and freedom we Americans enjoy. We go shooting, especially handguns. They keep handguns in their home while here and enjoy the freedom of doing so. They hate to have to return to Canada when their 6 month time limit here is over. They also enjoy the prices of fuel, food and beer.

Yes, the American good life.
When I was in Florida in 2012, I wouldn't drive a scooter so generously offered by model28a in St. Pete. Why? Insurance is not mandatory. Drivers can chat on their cell phones all they want. Texting is even legal while driving. Want to drink a beer while driving? No problem, as long as you're not drunk. I feared for my life while driving my car, let alone something 2 wheeled. How many times did I see pickup trucks going by with shotguns/long rifles hanging through the rear window. How many of them were loaded?
Cheaper gasoline and liquor and the ease of owning a personal hand gun would hardly offset my appreciation of free universal health care and gov't pensions for me, and likely your friends as well. For most Canadians, the USA is not the land of milk and honey that you suggest your friends envision it to be.

Agree with Big Bird. My Grandfather, Irish, after the family was in Quebec 80 years followed the lumber business to northern Wisconsin.

Born in 1939, my age group is probably the last that will enjoy generous pensions, if we stuck at something long enough......and then they take 40% of my social security because I have civil service pension------back to scooters riding in Canada is ok in my book, roads probably in better condition, too. my first bike trip in, 1957, last Quebec 2013, TU250 Suzuki----no problems in and out.

I too agree with Big Bird.  I have ventured into Maine from New Brunswick twice for the reason to go skiing at Sunday River and another time to just go to Bangor and Freeport. The first border crossing was uneventful ... where are you going... for how long is you stay .... etc ... have a nice visit !!  Short and to the point.  The second visit I crossed at the alternative crossing point.  A newer installation.  The agent was on a major ego trip.  Asked if we had any fruit I said no, my wife recalled a pineapple .. right ... the pineapple.  That was enough for having to pull over while they searched the car and treated us just about like criminals.  We were told to wait on some of the most uncomfortable benches ever constructed while they went through the car. When my wife decided this was a good chance for a washroom break and headed towards the washroom she was stopped and told when they finished with the car she could "go".  We were the only two people in the place along with the 6 or 8 agents at their cubicles, and they refused to let a lady use the washroom ???  The next trip saw a return to the crossing location of the first trip. A better experience and the agent only suggested that I had better sign my passport.   On the returns to Canada there have never been any problems.  Once the agent wasn't interested in seeing my passport and when I asked if she didn't want to see it she said "No ... you look Canadian ... welcome home!"   Yes, we are taxed to death and pay way too much for many things -- like gas. But Big Bird said it all.  I too cannot understand the affection with firearms.  But then I have no interest in hunting either.

 Gotta love those Americans and their God given "rights" to blow the bejeezus out of each other. Its funny and sad at the same time! Turn on the evening news that should make you proud to have a handgun!! Im glad and proud to live in Canada that is (for the most part) handgun free. Im also glad our border agent interrogated you, its his/her job to protect us. I have crossed the border just north of Watertown NY. many times, just yesterday actually, with never any incidents coming or going, maybe because i dont do stupid things when approaching!!!!!!!!

hotwings wrote:

 Gotta love those Americans and their God given "rights" to blow the bejeezus out of each other. Its funny and sad at the same time! Turn on the evening news that should make you proud to have a handgun!! Im glad and proud to live in Canada that is (for the most part) handgun free. Im also glad our border agent interrogated you, its his/her job to protect us. I have crossed the border just north of Watertown NY. many times, just yesterday actually, with never any incidents coming or going, maybe because i dont do stupid things when approaching!!!!!!!!

Couldn't have said it better myself.
I understand how carrying sidearms was likely a necessity in the late 1800's out in the "wild west". But in the 21st century?

I think anyone on this side of the Pond will agree completely with the comments from the two Canadian gentlemen about firearms.

The West was won in the 19th Century and this is the 21st, but as long as the US has the "Until they pry my gun from my cold dead hands” mentality nothing is going to change and you'll have regular killing sprees like Columbine, Sandy Hook, and this latest incident.

This may be a little off topic but, in the aftermath of a recent event in California, would someone care to explain the US obsession with owning, carrying and using guns?

 [/quote] Maybe if we had a King or Queen to tell us how to live our lives, we might be less needy.    Been there/ stopped that.   

I certainly feel the need to separate myself from some prior comments. I do not travel with a gun, nor do I feel unsafe without a firearm. I also feel the need to apologize to our Canadian neighbors for comments made regarding a perception of their loss of freedoms. It is easy to understand where much of the world gets it's 'Wild West' view of the States.

Believe that we are not all gun-toting cowboys, just as not all Brits have bad teeth, not all Aussies wrestle crocs, not all Germans are humorless and to be more specific to home, not all Coloradans are stoned. I will not venture to explain the obsession of some Americans with firearms, as I do not understand it myself. I was raised with firearms -- they were tools to protect our livestock from predators and help feed our family, nothing more. As an adult, I have no livestock and can afford to buy food at the market, so I have no need to tote a gun.

So to get back to the original post from the7smiths, I have crossed into Canada prior, and post, the 09/11/2001 terror attacks and have always found the border officers to be pleasant and professional. I also did not give them a reason to act otherwise. I have crossed borders into Mexico with similar experiences. I do know what real border hassles can be as I lived, and travelled, in central Africa.

For Canada, I did deactivate my headlight modulator and tape over the additional brake light (that flashes when braking), but I cannot positively state it was necessary.

In my limited riding in western Canada, I have found well maintained roads, friendly and helpful residents, great scenery, a common language and many positive experiences. I certainly hope to ride ride more of Canada in the future.

As for fuel, we Americans have very cheap fuel compared to most of the world, and so should expect to pay more elsewhere. If we want to ride where fuel is cheaper, Venezuela and the Saudi Peninsula should be destinations.

Hi Yo wrote:

  Maybe if we had a King or Queen to tell us how to live our lives, we might be less needy.       Been there/ stopped that. 

Apart from the British, or more precisely the English (there is a difference!) obsession with class and social status, our Royal Family have very little influence on day to day life, and absolutely none where the law is concerned.

I simply fail to see the "need" to own and carry a device, the sole purpose of which is to kill!

So far, nobody has offered an explanation.

I hope the Smith's are still with us on the original question about crossing the boarder into Canada. By now I'm sure if they have firearms they get the message and will leave them at home. Let's put the lid back on that can of worms. I have many US friends none of whom own firearms. That is the majority in the US. Unfortunately the majority also live and die by their constitution and only the American people can change that. Back on topic.

Living very close to the Washington/BC border I frequently cross the border for a number of reasons the best of which is to enjoy the scenic day rides in the Pacific Northwest. Border lineups can be tiresome especially in the summer so I make a point of crossing early (5am) and returning late (11pm) to sail through with minimum delay. Border guards usually ask "why so early" or "why so late". The commonly ask how much money I have with me, will I be meeting anyone and the usual what did you spend. US is pretty quick, Canada is usually longer.
I often wonder if it is the reverse for US citizens. Canada pretty quick US longer?
For the most part US and Canadian road laws are similar or the same and we drive on the same side of the road. Conversion to and from km/hr to mph is important to bear in mind as is the use of electronic devices whilst driving. The meals in Canada will be smaller, you might need to order 2, lol. Canadians travelling to the US usually order 1 meal between 2.

Once again enjoy our trip, and the people you encounter along the way!

Hotwings and Bigbird, you two Canadians just dont get it do you. Carrying handguns or any weapon is not about necessity anymore than owning a Silverwing is a necessity. It is about freedom of choice. A freedom we as Americans have and you don't. That explains a lot to me about the defensive attitude posed by both of you to attempt to diminish the sacred value of our constitution. I don't expect you to understand the value of our constitution and bill of rights which accompany it. I do however expect your comments on firearms ownership and use stem from simple juvenile jealousy. We can and you can't. Not difficult at all to discern a pattern here.
I made a simple comment in this blog to explain to a poster the difficulty I experienced in an answer to his legitimate question, a fair warning of what he could also expect to recieve.
In return, you Canadians show your real colors, and a**, in the process. You want to spar boys? You found your Huckelberry, Bring it on.

NO    ALLOWED!!!! Just good natured differences of opinion. I respect yours and hope you do the same for others. Save the rancor for those who don't respect riders.   

Good point Hi Yo
We'll see how it goes.

To Colin B,
Most folks I know, don't "need" to carry a weapon to kill, they "want" to carry it to keep from being killed.

ScooterBJ wrote:

For Canada, I did deactivate my headlight modulator and tape over the additional brake light (that flashes when braking), but I cannot positively state it was necessary.

Not necessary at all. I have both a headlight modulator and flashing extra brake light. I have driven past both our city police and the famous RCMP whose jurisdiction is pretty much all of rural Canada (except Ontario and Quebec). I have never been pulled over or hassled about either. They are both legal.

AV-40 wrote:

I don't expect you to understand the value of our constitution and bill of rights which accompany it. I do however expect your comments on firearms ownership and use stem from simple juvenile jealousy.

Your constitution and bill of rights needs amending to bring it up to 21st century standards. The era of the wild west and need to carry firearms has come and gone. But your politicians are too chicken-shiite to deal with it, for fear of losing re-election.

If our politicians suddenly gave us the right to bear firearms and carry handguns, we would think they were out of their minds.

Thanks AV-40 for confirming my suspicions. In this (peaceful) country an officer is trained never to lose his cool in any situation. Must be another non requirement there! 
  Oh the good old gun debate- Admin. may as well lock this topic now     

Gun Nuts are dangerous....see recent news

I just took delivery of a mesh motorcycle jacket from Leather-Up.com.  Great jacket and it comes with a designated "gun pocket"  !!    

If I had a gun and were to put it in the pocket, which has a couple of extra straps, I'd probably shoot myself in the foot!   :lol!:  And hate to think what might get shot if I were to fall off the S"Wing and the gun were to go off ..... if I had a gun in the pocket, that is .... 

I can only add that my experience at the Calais, Maine crossing has been mostly positive, going and returning. I used to work in St Stephen and would cross during lunch hour, buy milk and other staples up to about $20.00, every 2-3 days. 1997-2000. I transferred back to Saint John, and would only make the trip every 2-3 weeks. After 9/11, I noticed a definite "stiffening" of the rules and disposition of the agents. Whereas they were mostly friendly, now they are formal. My wife likes to crack a joke now and then; and one time it got us pulled over and given the nine yards, vehicle searched, etc. Could have been the agent. I got myself a Nexus card: allows travel between US and Canada without a passport, as a trusted frequent traveller. It flags you ahead of time as you pull up to the gate, and at airports. Generally, they ask the most basic of info when you show the card.
A new border crossing opened up to allow more truck traffic thru the border: state of the art facilities. At the very first crossing there we got pulled over and car was examined extensively, and we were asked questions galore. Border agents were having a really quiet day; so they gave us the whole nine yards. I think it is all fair game, they also have to train and practice and keep sharp. They have a responsible job to do and if they get it wrong in either direction consequences are dire for all the people regardless of which side of the border you are on.
I try to keep that in mind when I am crossing now. I recognise the faces but maintain a business-like attitude, and never get any attitude, and tell the wife to zip it unless she is asked a question directly. I clear my car of anything that could be seen as controversial. Makes life a lot easier all around.

I must add that Canadian border agents now follow a "script" with travellers. If you are returning they need duty-free info on goods, and the cost of shopping: for GST collection. They never used to ask for a passport, now they do. They randomly select vehicles for searches. No guarantee you'll sail thru even if you are a familiar face. I guess they all have a job to do. My aim is to make it as easy as possible for them.

Same here cotetoi .... no trouble (and quite civil greeting) at the St. Stephen/Calais crossing point. Always have a list to present showing any purchases too. Only trouble had was at the "New International" crossing point going into the US. Will skip that crossing point any time heading to the States in the future.

hotwings wrote:

Admin. may as well lock this topic now     

The finger of fate is poised.   


To put things into perspective, the US isn't that friendly towards visitors.  On my first visit we were greeted by a rather aggressive (large, female) immigration officer shouting, "Aliens against the wall!". Charming and very welcoming.

The chap next to me just went "Beep, Beep", wiggled his antennae and vanished in a blinding flash of light.  

Really want a hassle---try month long trip into Mexico and beyond----I found buying a year's insurance policy cheaper than short term....you are even expected to spend something on you credit card.

cotetoi wrote:

.
I try to keep that in mind when I am crossing now. I recognise the faces but maintain a business-like attitude, and never get any attitude, and tell the wife to zip it unless she is asked  a question directly. I clear my car of anything that could be seen as controversial. Makes life a lot easier all around.

WOW! Reminds me of when I watched a WWII movie about refugees crossing the border. Cleaning/hiding anything that could cause suspicion. I do agree that having a gun holster on the dash and ammo while crossing a border is just asking to be stopped and searched.  All that aside, the border agents are just doing their job to keep us safe. Much like the TSA agents are doing. You know what? I probably have more respect for the border agents than the TSA agents. It may be that I just come across more TSA agents more often living on an island. That is another story.

We've ridden in Canada many times, usually crossing the border at International Falls or on highway 61 south of Thunder Bay, Ontario. We've found that the border guards are very courteous and never treat anybody with suspicion unless you give them reason to. They have always welcomed us to Canada and wished us a pleasant stay there.

Weekends are a bad time to get across the border because as many Canadians cross the border at most of the border crossings as US citizens do. The Canadians can fill up their cars with our cheaper gas and go back across the border with a full tank without being charged any tax or duty on it. So they take advantage of it and come to the US to to shopping, etc.. If you time your crossing during the middle of the week you will have a much shorter wait in the line.

There is some absolutely beautiful scenery in Canada, no matter where you go. We have never been on a trip to Canada without thoroughly enjoying our time there. We are riding the Lake Superior Circle Tour over the 4th of July weekend this year - a little over half of that tour in Canada. We have done the Circle Tour on our ST1100's several times in the past and never get tired of if. We have also ridden to Banff 4 times in the past and the Canadian Rockies are breathtaking. One of those trips we came home thru Canada across the prairie thru Winnipeg, and even the ride across the prairie was beautiful.

We rode to Alaska in 2003 on our ST1100's and that trip was a little more challenging with lots of heavy truck traffic on the Alaska Highway. That's one that we'd probably not do again because there's plenty of other places to ride that are more fun and a more relaxed pace.

But during all of them we never had a bad experience with our stay in Canada, nor with crossing the border.

Check with your insurance company, both for your bike insurance and medical. Most insurance companies cover you in Canada with no questions asked, or additional endorsements needed. If you carry a firearm on your bike, stop at US Customs before crossing the border and check it and your ammo in with US Customs. You can pick it up on your way back into the US at the same border crossing. It is not a big deal as long as you don't try to take it into Canada. You can legally cross the border with rifles and shotguns into Canada as long as you have a reason for doing so (hunting). Claiming you are going hunting while riding a bike will get you an interrogation with Canadian Customs. So the best policy is to just check them in with US Customs first.

I removed this post but copied it in another sections for the mods to review.

f you do come into Alberta. Glacier national park comes into Waterton park. very nice windy scenery, and north of that is Banff National park. The hot springs are great. then north o that is Columbia Ice Fields for the tour on the iceberg with the big bus. then north of that is Jasper National Park. also more beautiful scenery and high prices. if you do make Jasper, you can go west to British Columbia where the scenery is about the best in Canada. but be prepared for over $5.00 gallon of gas. farther west you go gas is over $6.00 gallon. I am 4 hrs from Jasper. we ride there once a yr. stay at small private cabins by Miette Hot Springs. we dont bother with Jasper anymore.
I go to Nebraska every August to a private motorcycle rally ,met some viet nam vets and ex highway patrol troopers who all carry guns, they find it strange that I dont.
and pretty well every second time I go back home I bring back a motorcycle in a pickup that I have bought down there. the gaurds dont even check serial no of them?

I have locked this topic due to a couple of posts that are very questionable. So I have asked the mods to read it and they concur that these posts are not for this site. We have always been very open with what poeple say but this was too much.

I have to say this is the first time I have removed 2 posts in a topic before. So I also locked this thread for this topic.

I publicly offer my support to Jeff on this matter.

I also publically offer my support to Jeff on this matter.

Thanks for the support.

Hi,

I locked this thread due to 2 posts that seemed that they had the potential to really cause some havoc on this forum. I don't edit or delete posts very often at all. In the years of this forum I probably couldn't count them on one hand, but I just didn't feel comfortable at all with some of the wording. So I just deleted the 2 posts in their entirety.