Rehabilitation in Canada?

[Uncle Rico]

Has anyone had first hand experience with this?

A member of my group that goes to the Rainy every year had DUIs in 2007 and 2009.  He had probation until summer 2011.  

I had him call the Rainy River Port of Entry and they told him to go to the website for Canada Immigration.  Why can nobody seem to offer a concrete answer on this subject?  It seems like the stories I hear are all over the board.

The website says that 5 years after the end of his sentence he is eligible to apply for rehabilitation.  Cost is $200.  Can anyone shed any light on whether this matches their experience, and whether or not it's worth our time to go to the Port of Entry when we arrive up there and see if they will issue him a Remote Border Pass?  The pass is what this is all about, that's all we want.

Thanks for any insight....

[Pole Dancer]

I would say he's SOL. The RABC is an in-depth search probably equivalent to a passport. At a minimum 10 years. As far as the "rehab" . the $200 will get your mail sent to Ottawa. My brother in law has not received a reply for over a year, and he was 12 years post ONE DWI.

[maxpower117]

First of all, the border/immigration officers don't seem to know the exact details because they aren't the ones in charge of rehabilitation. 

There's a few things going on here. The fact that he's had 2 could be a bigger problem. 

I know as a fact that you can be granted a one time free pass if you only have one conviction of a minor offense. They will give you a temporary resident permit at the border crossing and then tell you that you cannot cross again until you've been deemed rehabilitated. I know this as fact because I went through this process last Tuesday. 

Now im stuck with the reality that I may not be admissible until I apply and am accepted for rehabilitation. Now I have read that the rehabilitation process could take 1-3 years. Yes, years. If you hire an attorney, I've read that it could be as little as 6 weeks. 

I called a Canadian attorney today about this and he told me that the best way to go about this is to try and get your convictions expunged. Then you still have to contact immigration to make sure that their records reflect this expungement. The attorney is still your option to accomplish this. 

His fees were as follows:

$3200 for rehabilitation 

$1200 for after expungement 

Not sure what I'm gonna do next but I do know that mn does not expunge DUIs very often. I may contact a MN attorney to find out. 

[Stick in Mud]

No DUI's here, but a friend of mine got rejected for a Quetico canoe trip because of one DUI eight years prior.  Friends of mine with more than one DUI haven't even tried to head up there; in Canada, a DUI is a felony, so two such offenses in two years is a pretty big deal to them.

I hear you on the frustration regarding the lack of clear guidance from Canadian authorities on this question.  I'd skip the OPP/website/forum confusion and contact a lawyer to ask a few questions.  As maxpower noted, they tend to give clearer answers. 

Good luck!

[Uncle Rico]

Thanks for the responses.  Frankly I don't think it's that big of a deal....would be nice to fish the other side but we have fun regardless......

Thanks again!

[Ballyhoo]

I work with guys that have to travel there for their job and have had gotten rehabilitation sooner than that, it just costs more money.  If you stay on it, it can happen.  They make it hard to keep people out.

[11B]

Don't drink and drive. Problem solved. 

[maxpower117]

39 minutes ago, 11B said:

Don't drink and drive. Problem solved. 

Thanks. You must be a saint?

Save your sarcasm for political posts. 

Edited March 20, 2016 by maxpower117

[11B]

Not being sarcastic. If you like going to Canada, don't get a DWI, or you'll be posting on here asking how to get in. 

[i'majigger]

Its' amazing Canada worries about a DWI conviction and will not let you into their country, The United States invites all rhe GARBAGE of the world to cross theirs. Almost believe it's time to move to Canada.

[Uncle Rico]

10 hours ago, 11B said:

Not being sarcastic. If you like going to Canada, don't get a DWI, or you'll be posting on here asking how to get in. 

No offense taken.  He's correct.  I was simply trying to help a friend who is not on internet forums.  Best of luck to you if you head up.

I'majigger, if you feel that way you must be a racist and a bigot, correct?!!

[White-tips]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5312ETOC.asp

Everything you need is located at this link. Read very carefully to see if you even meet the criteria to apply. Fill out all of the paperwork, and there's a ton. Then, call the CA entry at Pembina. It's the only port of entry that you can go and appear in person and have it approved. Submitting by mail to the Canadian consulate will send your application to New York City or Los Angeles to be caught up in a 2 year or greater backlog. The money you pay a Canadian attorney will get you one thing...them telling you to dress nicely, have every piece of paperwork completed in full, have money ready and drive to the Pembina, ND border crossing. There's only one other location this option is available and the agents at Pembina didn't even know which city/border crossing area it was. I did it last spring. I was there for four hours waiting a turn to have the materials reviewed and approved. They will treat you and look at you as though your filth. It's a nightmare. But it's done.

[vman11]

White-tips has it pretty much covered.

My dad just went through a very similar process.  He sent his stuff to NY and forgot one piece of information and his application was rejected, and lost the rehabilitation fee ($200?).  He ended up going to Pembina and worked through it.  If anybody has specific questions PM me and I can get you direct answers from my dad's experience.

Sounds like they are more willing to help in person in Pembina during the winter months as travel volume is less.  I think they do this at I-falls as well, but won't think about it during the spring/summer due to how busy the border is.

Follow the instructions in White-tips link and DOUBLE CHECK you've followed all of the necessary steps.  Otherwise you'll be doing it over.