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January 31, 2001 11:22 AM, EST

U.S. truck drivers convicted of offenses classified as felonies in Canada — even though not felonies in this country — now may gain admittance to Canada if they use one of several remedies offered by Canada’s immigration service.

Canadian authorities normally turn back U.S. citizens convicted of any offense that Canada considers a felony — including driving under the influence of alcohol or driving while intoxicated — no matter how long ago they were convicted. A DUI or DWI that is a misdemeanor on the U.S. side of the border is a felonious offense on the Canadian side.

It is not unusual for a U.S. trucking operation to get a call from one of its drivers stranded at the border with a load because Canadian immigration authority spotted an old drunk driving — or perhaps a U.S. felony — conviction on his record. Some carrier managers have complained that Canadian authorities often seem to know more about their drivers’ backgrounds than they do.

Canada now offers a remedy in the form provisional entry.

For the full story, see the Jan. 29 print edition of Transport Topics. .