Canada BS thread

I've been watching Border Security: Canada's Frontline by Danger TV on youtube.

I'll keep this to just me BSing without going to politics, avoid ban hammer.

For years after corporate relocation to US went back to Canada several times per year for work or family. Got accustomed to pearson Toronto crap show. But less travel past 8 years since changed employment and moved. Haven't been back to Canada since Father passed 2019.

Watching show seems to me CBSA have become full on jack boots. Taking phones to read content, from both foreigners and citizens. Asking Americans who have no gun with them if they carry gun at home, why carry, how many they own. In one show they found young man's concealed permit, badgered him even after full search. He flew in, a stretch to think he'd have gun on him.

Makes me sad for Canada I served. I should stop watching.

 

Like many ‘shows’ for viewership they want the sensational clips. The want suspense & drama, So the jack boots personalities are the ones that give them that & make the show. However, I don’t doubt it has gotten worse. I still want to hope that most cbsa peeps aren’t that bad! I haven’t travelled out of Canada in quite a few yrs though so haven’t had to run that gauntlet recently.

 

I suspect it's also different as a Canadian coming back into Canada. It's the US border guards who seem really hard to me. Heaven forbid that you inadvertently say something that could be misconstrued as you're going down there to "steal" work from Americans.

 

you both make very valid points.

Re US screening for job stealers, back in 03 thru 06 I traveled a lot, especially to US for work, assisting at factories under Canadian company. After many trips I learned to plan extra time at US entry in pearson for many questions. That travel led in great part to my Corporate relocation.

Dont get me wrong - I strongly believe that country must control border. But the treatment of Canadian citizens shocks me. And inquisition about US gun ownership at home is just silly. Criminals and gun smugglers don't tend to carry State conceal permits.

 

The legalization of marijuana in Canada had some inadvertent consequences. Apparently, if a Canadian had an old conviction for marijuana possession, the US border guards either couldn't see that or didn't care. However, as soon as those old convictions were pardoned, then the guards started seeing those, questioning what they were and then denying entry for having been pardoned for a previous crime.

 

With one exception, every time I've gone to the US, the American border guards have been fantastic and welcoming. Nearly ever time I've come back to Canada, the Canadian border guards have been pricks and power tripping assholes. Almost like they were offended that I would dare to leave the glorious people's socialist republic of canuckistan. I've been asked all these questions: "Why'd you go to the States instead of holidaying in Canada?", "Why are you shopping there?", "Why didn't you stay in Canada?", "Why didn't you buy that item in Canada?" and other condescending variations of the standard border grilling. I have no issue with being asked where, why, what for security reasons but the condescension and insular attitudes piss me off.

I probably didn't help matters the one time though when I'd gotten sick of the attitude and told the shmuck, "I visited the States to get a breath of free air and spend time away from arrogant Canadians".

 

Weird, I've never had that attitude, even when I brought a dozen beer back with me.

My wife got grilled one time because she told them she bought like $500 worth of stuff in a week but couldn't think of what any of it was other than some clothes.

 

Yeah, I dunno what it is. The odd time it's fine, but for some reason usually they give me attitude. Other than that one remark the one time, I'm always polite and professional with them and just answer the questions.

Maybe I just have bad luck with them like I do with the rent-a-cops at work. The security guards at my job site seem to like to "randomly" select my work truck for a search on a regular basis, enough so that my manager ended up sending their supervisor a notice to leave me alone. LOL. Fortunately that bad luck doesn't extend to RCMP or city PD's. I get along fine with them.

 

Has that decreased now that you're not driving your FGT? Maybe some of the guards are on here and know all about the first gen crew.

 

Just got a notice saying the fix for the halogen headlight recall is available. Naturally, I just had my truck in for service a couple weeks ago.

 

Nah. For work I drive the Corolla to site, drop it off and pick up the company F150 which I use to get to and from site each day for my rotation. I don't think my truck was the issue there.

The border on the other hand, could be different. Since Americans make up 99% of the users here, there's a good chance the American guards know SSEM, saw the sticker on my old truck and knew not to mess with me. My new truck doesn't have a SSEM sticker yet, so maybe I'll get hassled next time. The Canuckistani guards are just jealous.

 

yep, some of same experiences. Got worse when I was resident in US. Even worse since US passport that says born in Canada. Questions like "why did you leave Canada?". First few times I replied "for work", last few times I replied "I left for work, I stayed for the weather and the freedom". Watching that border show on YouTube, I think I shall refrain from comments like that for any future trips (which will be few, only reason I have now is my 88 year old Mother).

I was only asked if own guns once about 10 to 12 years ago, that was when lived in Arizona so I thought at time was bit of humor. Watching that show, I will have difficulty if asked in future, you never want to get caught in a lie.

America is far from perfect, but ever since I got a US passport, every re-entry (every one) the customs agents end their questions with "welcome home". That alone is a huge contrast.

 

The Canadian guards have intercepted enough of your SSEM and TM swag that they know it's in their best interest to search you and your truck thoroughly and confiscate the "contraband".

 

I've never actually been searched crossing the border. They know I don't have anything good because they stole it before it could get to me.

 

Had anyone bought from Ess K customs before? Do you know if they ever have any sales?
Thanks

 

Yeah!

A March blizzard is headed my way.

 

March is colder than February was lol.

 

It used to be more active. A few of the more regular members kinda disappeared or have started slacking on their posting.

 

I'm pretty active here but don't know the answers to many tough questions, especially about the third gen.

 

Post away in here, there's still a few of us around. I kinda stopped checking in regularly as it died down and hung out in the rest of the forum. I can come back....for a price.

 

So you hit 20K posts and you decide to slack off eh?

If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.

 

I look forward to my truck finally arriving at the end of April. We pick up our new Bigfoot 28' travel trailer in July so I expect to be more active on the forum once I've had time with the truck and time pulling the trailer through the mountains.

Speaking of the mountains, does anyone have any recommendations for campgrounds around Canmore? We'll be spending a couple of nights there on our way back from our western tour and we'll need a site that'll accommodate our 28' trailer.

 

Me!! Who was the last post before @Mattedfred post today

 

The only place around there that I've stayed is Tunnel Mountain but good luck getting a spot. I've heard Kananaskis is nice but never spent any time there.

 

Haven't really had that issue yet. My wheels, tires and RSB all came from local Toyota dealers. The only thing I've ordered from the US are my Boost Auto mirrors.

 

We're heading down to Minneapolis from Winnipeg next week. I've had a number of parcels shipped to the parcel service in Pembina, ND, which we'll pick up on our trip. I've purchased a number of Pacific Lock products (locking hitch pin, trailer coupler lock, hockey puck lock) and some items for our travel trailer (Proven Industries trailer coupler lock, Froli Travel bed kit, Tochta sheets, Ox Blox jack block). The savings on shipping costs alone from the US to Canada makes the 1.25 hour trip to the border worthwhile. I'll provide feedback once we've had the chance to use everything.

 

Fair point.

I'm so far from the border (10 - 12 ish hours one way) that I usually end up doing without or find a company with flat rate shipping to Canada which is how I got my Diamondback cover. When I do make it down near the border, I place any orders I need in the few weeks leading up to my trip. Whenever I visit my parents for example I have everything sent to a package recieving depot in Sumas, WA (Ship Happens), my dad goes across to pick it up and it's all waiting in his garage when I get there.

 

Right close to Canmore it’s a bit more limited. There is really just Bow River Campground and Three Sisters. Honestly I usually avoid them.

Elkwood and Boulton in Peter Lougheed is a drive from Canmore, but a much nicer place to spend a few days. We usually got to Elkwood every year.

As a different consideration, when you start driving west there is Kinbrook Island which is a great family campground with a beach. It feels like it’s in the middle of farmland but it’s just a great place for families.

Be aware that campgrounds in Alberta are mostly by reservation and fill up very fast. You can book 90 days out online. Weekends are booked within 30 minutes. You really need to be on top of the bookings. However, there are always last minute cancellations because the cancel fees are so low. If you are willing to be flexible, I have often found sites online with less than 7 days notice.

 

It's becoming less and less about savings with the dollar where it is. For me it's more about a road trip and being able to get the product I want.

I always openly declare everything - good, food, etc, - and I have paid GST a few times but not duty very often. But I also don't buy alcohol.