Pubdate: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Andrea Woo BLOCKED AT THE BORDER BY PAST CRIMES Paperwork Plus Fees May Allow Entry To Canada Despite a law that's been in place for more than 30 years, many visitors to Canada aren't aware they can be turned away at the border if they have criminal convictions. "These rules have always been in effect," said Paula Shore, spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency. "They are certainly nothing new at all." Still, more than 18,000 visitors with past convictions were turned away from B.C. and the Yukon last year. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a visitor with virtually any conviction in his or her past -- for assault, drugs or driving under the influence, for example -- can be turned back at the border. This can undoubtedly put a damper on vacation plans. There are still, however, ways for those with past convictions to enter Canada. It just requires a bit of time, and in some cases, money. If at least five years have passed since a person's conviction, he or she can apply for individual rehabilitation, a process not nearly as intimidating as it sounds. In most cases, it would simply require the person to fill out the necessary paperwork -- all available online -- and pay a fee that depends on the nature of the criminal conviction. If more than 10 years have passed since a sentence was served, and the sentence was not more than 10 years, a person may be deemed rehabilitated and not have to fill out anything at all. Those who have received Canadian pardons for their convictions or who were issued temporary residents' permits may also be allowed into the country. "Anybody [with a past conviction] who is coming to Canada, we suggest they talk to their travel agent or go on to our website," said Shore. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin