As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle If you are planning to go to Canada you should make sure you can get across the border before you plan the entire trip just to be sent back to the states. Seriously they are sending people back to the states who were charged with marijuana possession back in 1975. The article states this

Since their rowdy days in the ’70s, they have created and sold a publishing company, purchased extensive real estate holdings and own a $3 million getaway home in Lake Tahoe.

They were still denied entrance into Canada. Now I understand tightening down security since 9/11 but this is going WAY TOO FAR! Something as simple as stealing something 20 years ago (in your college days) and you will be denied access. Now if the crime you committed happened more than 5 years ago you can file to have it wiped from your record but WHY should you have to do that? I could see them stating certain levels of severity in the last 5 years will make it so you cannot cross the border but stealing a bag of chips? Come on get real here!

Canadian attorney David Lesperance, an expert on customs and immigration, says he had a client who was involved in a fraternity prank 20 years ago. He was on a scavenger hunt, and the assignment was to steal something from a Piggly Wiggly supermarket. He got caught, paid a small fine and was ordered to sweep the police station parking lot.

He thought it was all forgotten. And it was, until he tried to cross the border.

There are several US newspapers reporting this but you can read more at the San Francisco Chronicle and the Canadian Consulate’s Web site

Being in Vermont and so close to the Canadian border I wonder if I could get over the border. I am not sure if I have anything on my record from that long ago or not. I hope work doesn’t involve going to Canada, if so I will need to make some phone calls to find out if I need to clear anything up.