The exchange rate actually worries me some, but I'm not about to look a gift horse in the mouth at the moment.

I never thought of NAFTA as a cause, and I like things in neat and simple packages. It sounded like a good theory at first but after thinking about it I'm not so sure.

Rather than simply say I think things started much earlier so there must be other reasons, I'll bore everyone with a long vague stumble down memory lane. My memory ain't great, and now I'm real curious so factual corrections or differing opinions/experiences/memories... conclusions are requested.

Basically I think most of the things that currently affect our Quetico trips are older than NAFTA and specifically local rather than national, but I'm not up on Canada's big economic picture lately. Politics aside, here are my observations.

The fees, while I'm not fond of being discriminated against, do have their up side regarding traffic. (I'm not used to resembling some sort of a snob either...) I THINK Quetico may even be one of the few money making parks. I seem to remember Quetico fighting to keep more of the money they generated with Quetico, in Quetico. I always remember more resident permits being available, and the nonresident price difference started in maybe the early 90's. (?) I'm happy to contribute, it's the difference that bugs me a little. I do feel it's genuinely meant to encourage resident use rather than discourage or punish us. I just think it won't produce the intended results.

Sovereign borders:
In the early 80's, I contemplated buying an outfitting business near Atikoken. One of the big hurdles I saw was not being able to have Americans on the payroll since logic told me there had to be more qualified Canadians... Then as now, the US has similar restrictions.

In the late 80's(?) the big deal with bringing back fish started. I think it actually had something to do with a feud about Lac La Croix if I remember correctly. The bottom line as I understood it was strict enforcement by US customs came as retaliation for something our friends to the north did that US outfitters/resorts didn't like. I'm pretty sure it was local economics hurting on our side. I'd not be surprised if leech laws stem from a continuation of that war. I'd love to hear a US outfitter's point of view and/or from someone with the real facts on that.

I've never had an unreasonable dealing with Canadian customs. Their rules haven't really changed to my direct knowledge. I've never used leeches, but I wonder if the leech law is new or if just the enforcement of it is new. I think dirt for worms, has always been a no-no just like fruit or other vegetation, minnows, etc., but exactly why they always ask about worms now I have no clue. Could the leech thing be possibly about Zebra muscles in the water? That might work for me if it was a new law. Unless of course they make you dump 'em in the lake.

I don't think it's strictly a money issue because, from my experience, they use to allow something like 3 days worth of food to be brought in without paying a duty. 20 years ago our answer to the value of the amount that we carried, after stating we'd be there for a much longer time, was always questioned. We'd answer with - We might see what the outfitter had and we hoped the fishing would be good, and if not, we'd be leaving early. True to a point, but an obvious lie none the less. They don't ask anymore. Either they must realize collecting duty on food from the likes of us would be pushing it, and/or they may have relaxed the rules.

I'd certainly appreciate not having to go through customs on the way back. I actually like entering Canada. You can't blame them for asking about vices like cigarettes considering their price in Canada. Unlike the US side, their guards seem friendly, helpful, reasonable... good people. Some even smile and have a sense of humor. Don't try that at home! Unless you have lots of time or want to repack anyway.

I have always had many more hoops placed in front of me coming back to the states. In my younger days they would always empty the car, unpack everything, unroll sleeping bags, etc. while being downright rude. Different laws apply at borders, and they act accordingly. Perhaps, since I never had anything to hide, I may have been more of a prick - in the beginning - until I got my mind right. Now that I'm old it's gotten easier but it's still never pleasant.

Seems to me a main purpose of US customs is income. I've seen much more greed on our side, and when my canoe wasn't on top of my foul smelling car, it's been worse... "Empty your pockets... What's this receipt for? What was the purpose of your trip? All you bought was a map? What was this receipt for again?..."

All in all, still an acceptable inconvience for returning from an exotic location in a foreign country.

Posted by db on January 16, 2001 at 17:08