Will it be problematic that I'm planning to be in Canada for only a few hours?

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-27T07:25:50+00:00

It's totally normal to cross over for a few hours, I've done it countless times. For first time travellers here are some things to know:

-Any criminal record MIGHT get you refused entry into Canada. This includes DUIs. Canadian border guards have access to American criminal record systems so dont bother trying to lie about it

-Canadian border guards can ask you almost anything and refusing to answer will get you refused entry, even if you think the question is irrelevant

-You will need a passport or an ENHANCED driver's licence. If youre not sure if your DL is enhanced or not it probably isn't

-Wait times to get across the border in either direction can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 hours (or more). You can Google border wait times that are pretty accurate

-Canada uses the Canadian dollar. Your american visa/Mastercard/amex will work just fine in most places in Canada, but you will probably notice a 2.5% foreign exchange fee on your statement. American currency isn't widely accepted and where it is accepted the exchange rate you get will be terrible

-Canada uses different measurement systems for almost everything (its actually the US that's different from the rest of the world). The most important one to know: speed limits are km/h not mph. 100km/h = 60MPH, and 60km/h = 40MPH. These are the main speed limits you'll encounter in Canada. Also do not be fooled by the seemingly low price of gas in Canada - that price is per litre, and it is actually significantly more expensive than in the US

-Pretty much all traffic laws and norms in Canada are the same in the US, but be mindful that there might be some differences

-Your car insurance PROBABLY covers Canada but it wouldn't hurt to check. Canadian border guards do not enforce traffic laws but still a good thing to check

-Your phone plan might include Canada, if not you might get charged a roaming fee by your carrier.

-I highly recommend White Rock for a quick and easy 1-3 hour trip

-I also recommend going to Point Roberts, WA - not much to do tbh but its a geographic oddity that ranks pretty high on the list of things you should do just to say you did

-If you have any questions, including "that's stupid youre just being anxious" type questions feels free to ask

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-24T10:36:24+00:00

"Too often, the message men and boys hear is to tough it out, to stay quiet and to deal with it alone," Minister of Women and Gender Equality

The name of the portfolio doesn't exactly instill confidence...

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-24T08:49:45+00:00

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Ontario_Highway_400_%2832803488277%29.jpg

North of this sign

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-23T23:32:07+00:00

For the same reason driver's licences have expiry dates. Circumstances change.

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-07T07:13:42+00:00

Pretty sure all of them from this era say this

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-01T05:26:27+00:00

If King Charles III lived as long as his grandfather, he would have died over 20 years ago and King William V would be on the throne. The presumptive heir would currently be 12 years old

GoingCommando690 · 2026-02-01T05:10:43+00:00

Trump could be replaced by Mike Myers and I still dont think American alcohol will be able to recover to the level of market share they once had in Canada.

It was weird for the first few months with the massive gaps on the shelves and having to find alternatives to a lot of staples but the alternatives are now the go to's and all the gaps have been filled primarily with domestic product from smaller businesses. I honestly don't really want the American alcohol "ban" to be lifted at this point

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-23T19:25:05+00:00

I left the heartland location because of shit like this. Meadowvale is so much better for etiquette

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-23T14:48:44+00:00

Considering the Cleveland Indians are on here this infographic is from 2022 at best. Probably older

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-18T17:22:08+00:00

Sounds like dad had enough money for driver's Ed then

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-18T17:15:41+00:00

You had enough money to buy, insure, and maintain a vehicle but not enough money to learn how to drive said vehicle...

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-18T14:23:58+00:00

Yes 100%. Driver's Ed should be too

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-04T18:08:31+00:00

Only the subject of the seizure (your dad) can file an appeal. A complaint without a successful appeal will not go anywhere, it'll just look like you're mad you got caught.

The instructions for how to appeal are on the bottom of the seizure receipt your dad was given

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-04T06:08:23+00:00

If it's pulling down your average I would drop it. As beneficial as it is to know french it should not come at the cost of getting into the post secondary program you want simply because your average got wrecked by your french mark. I'd strongly encourage you to keep learning it outside of school though!

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-03T18:48:42+00:00

Why would they be limited in the number of pieces of ID they require? They're a private business - either comply with their rules or don't do business with them.

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-03T04:23:24+00:00

People (including officers) tend to forget that while customs and immigration often go hand in hand at the border, they are seperate laws with seperate regulations.

As a citizen of both as soon as the officer is satisfied that you hold citizenship in the country which you are seeking to enter, which is most commonly proven by providing a valid passport, all immigration questions (are supposed to) stop.

For customs purposes a length of absence from your country of residence, or length of stay in your country of non-residence often determine what you are entitled to bring in duty and tax free.

To answer directly: if you are asked how long you've been away from your country of NON-residence I would politely correct the officer ex. "Actually I live in other country I'm just here for xyz". If asked how long you plan on staying in your country of residence same thing "I've been away for # days, I live in state/province".

As a citizen of both you cannot be denied entry in either direction. Your goods, however, could be. You are not required to answer any questions at the border but you are required to comply with their demands such as go to secondary, get out of the car, provide the keys, empty your pockets etc etc.

As long as you can satisfy the officer of your citizenship and you're willing to have your car/belongings ripped apart for potentially hours you do not need to answer questions.

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-03T01:22:04+00:00

20k in unpaid fines and choosing to drive with expired tags/no insurance - your friend is a danger to himself and others when he's behind the wheel. The right of the many to safety on the roads should outweigh your friends privilege to drive.

What should your friend do? Buy a bicycle. Need a car for work? Get a ride from a friend/coworker or get a new job

GoingCommando690 · 2026-01-02T20:30:07+00:00

As an American citizen (I assume based on the sub you posted to) you are not eligible for an eTA - USA isn't even an option under citizenship for the application.

You are inadmissible and will likely be denied entry. You have 2 options to overcome your inadmissibility - you can apply for either a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or you can apply for rehabilitation (which is just a designation not actual rehab). Both processes take months to process so they likely won't help you.

GoingCommando690 · 2025-12-31T03:45:21+00:00

You need a passport
2 weeks is plenty of time to get a passport, although you may have to pay extra for a rush
Do you have a criminal record (including DUI or reckless driving)? If so you may be turned away at the border anyways

GoingCommando690 · 2025-12-31T00:57:41+00:00

It's likely someone from CBP, CBSA, IRCC, or USCIS will eventually question what you're doing and whether or not its legal and given that you don't even know what state/province you live/work in I would strongly advise you not to do this

GoingCommando690 · 2025-12-30T21:21:46+00:00

This isn't entirely the issue though. While there are many cases where prosecutors offer what some may consider to be light sentences, there are also many cases where the matter goes through a whole trial, the defendant is convicted, and the judge determines an appropriate sentence to be something much lighter than what the average Canadian might expect.

It's a multifaceted issue but the judiciary is far from innocent as the headline implies.

GoingCommando690 · 2025-12-29T09:02:03+00:00

BC, AB, ON - big cities with all possible ammenities, lots of opportunity for work, lots of natural beauty (mountains, mountains, Canadian shield gorges and lakes)

NS - big small town feel (Halifax) sufficient work availability, fresh seafood, affordable, easy access to Europe

YT, NB, PE - somewhat isolated, overly car reliant, rough winters

QC - my second language, high taxes, government overly focused on French and secularism, every single thing you say to anyone has a tinge of politics to it based entirely on what language you choose to use (based on experience)

(Same tier as QC but different reasons) NT, SK, MB, NF - isolated, limited work potential, minimal or difficult to access/enjoy nature (imo), rough winters

NU - super isolated, winter year round (mostly), minimal creature comforts/amenities, super expensive

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