Interrogated by Canadian Customs for 1.5 hours!
Warning Long
This happened today at Victoria airport, but could have been anywhere in Canada and thought my experience might be of interest here also.
I had quite a time getting into Canada at Victoria airport. Some might be interested in my 1.5 hour interrogation by 4 customs agents. I come to Canada 2-4 times a year for many years and never had any delay before.
My unlucky arrival may have been due to someone with a similar name doing something bad. I was asked my times if I ever lived in Florida and basically had to give my life history. I've never lived anywhere except MN and AZ. But then things got much worse, and related to sexwork based on what they found on my computer. Yet the experience has a good ending - obviously - since I am in Victoria!
While one agent interrogated me, I could hear another making phone calls mentioning my name, DOB etc. Another agent was going through every single item in my luggage and another took my laptop and was examining everything on it. That made things very interesting.
I had no idea on what basis they could deny entry since I had never been in any legal trouble, not even a traffic ticket for many years, and I wasn't here for anything illegal. But I had to convince them of that and teach them Canadian laws after they found lots of things on my laptop including my pre trip planning spreadsheet of providers, text files I have on my laptop about libchrist.com, sexworkcanada.com, had some sexy pictures of some Phoenix provider friends and they noted my Asian trips stamped in my passport (sex trafficker perhaps?) ... you get the idea.
They also wanted to know how much cash I had (about $100US and $100CDN) and wanted to know how much cash I had access to from ATM machines etc. They asked about my sources of the cash and even if I could prove how much money I would have access to when in Canada. Have no idea why this line of questioning but I was simply totally honest.
They interrogated me in great detail about "prostitution". I talked about how I promote positive intimacy and sexuality via libchrist.com and yes I enjoy the freedoms they have in Canada we don't in the U.S.
But believe it or not they thought all prostitution was illegal in Canada! I then proceeded to teach them the Criminal Code of Canada related to prostitution! They asked zillions of questions, were very polite and kept going into little meetings with themselves in a small office. One was looking up something in a book -perhaps the Criminal code of Canada? I was almost going to tell them I had a copy on my lap top but I wasn't sure if I actually did, although I have it on my home computer.
One young agent questioned why any women would choose prostitution and had to explain the difference between the street hooker on drugs and women that actually choose it. He seemed amazed especially when I told him lots of young gals going to college here do it to help pay for their education etc.
After one of their private huddles, they started asking me how I meet the "prostitutes" at their place etc. I was careful to avoid any incall discussion saying I had them come to my hotel room which is perfectly legal in Canada and most of the world except the U.S. I seemed to amaze them when I commented that the agencies are licensed by Victoria (my pre trip notes made it obvious I had the names of agencies) and there is nothing illegal selling time with gals (but not specifically for sex, but as consenting adults, in private....)
Then they got into how I meet these women and a big discussion of the many Internet boards that thousands of folks go to share and discuss many issues. One asked if it was sort of like tripadvisor.com! I then had to teach them that advertising is perfectly legal on the web etc and basically taught them the solicitation laws about only being illegal in public places.
They asked me what type of discussions I was recenly involved in. I said a provider was asking for comments on what folks like on provider websites to include etc. They seemed amazed that many of the gals participate in such discusions.
By now it was feeling a little less like an interrogation and more curiosity especially from one of the younger agents that talked to me the most.
The most embarrassing moment is when the guy that had my computer came over and asked me about a very old post I had kept from a terb discussion from a lawyer. I had no recollection of where he could have found it. I have lots of old files on my laptop from travels that I haven't gotten around to reading lately or doing anything with. He asked about a note he found... actually by this time he was more laughing about it than using it to interrogate but it left me with mouth open having no idea where it was from: Get this..... He read outloud to all the agents:
Continued
Warning Long
This happened today at Victoria airport, but could have been anywhere in Canada and thought my experience might be of interest here also.
I had quite a time getting into Canada at Victoria airport. Some might be interested in my 1.5 hour interrogation by 4 customs agents. I come to Canada 2-4 times a year for many years and never had any delay before.
My unlucky arrival may have been due to someone with a similar name doing something bad. I was asked my times if I ever lived in Florida and basically had to give my life history. I've never lived anywhere except MN and AZ. But then things got much worse, and related to sexwork based on what they found on my computer. Yet the experience has a good ending - obviously - since I am in Victoria!
While one agent interrogated me, I could hear another making phone calls mentioning my name, DOB etc. Another agent was going through every single item in my luggage and another took my laptop and was examining everything on it. That made things very interesting.
I had no idea on what basis they could deny entry since I had never been in any legal trouble, not even a traffic ticket for many years, and I wasn't here for anything illegal. But I had to convince them of that and teach them Canadian laws after they found lots of things on my laptop including my pre trip planning spreadsheet of providers, text files I have on my laptop about libchrist.com, sexworkcanada.com, had some sexy pictures of some Phoenix provider friends and they noted my Asian trips stamped in my passport (sex trafficker perhaps?) ... you get the idea.
They also wanted to know how much cash I had (about $100US and $100CDN) and wanted to know how much cash I had access to from ATM machines etc. They asked about my sources of the cash and even if I could prove how much money I would have access to when in Canada. Have no idea why this line of questioning but I was simply totally honest.
They interrogated me in great detail about "prostitution". I talked about how I promote positive intimacy and sexuality via libchrist.com and yes I enjoy the freedoms they have in Canada we don't in the U.S.
But believe it or not they thought all prostitution was illegal in Canada! I then proceeded to teach them the Criminal Code of Canada related to prostitution! They asked zillions of questions, were very polite and kept going into little meetings with themselves in a small office. One was looking up something in a book -perhaps the Criminal code of Canada? I was almost going to tell them I had a copy on my lap top but I wasn't sure if I actually did, although I have it on my home computer.
One young agent questioned why any women would choose prostitution and had to explain the difference between the street hooker on drugs and women that actually choose it. He seemed amazed especially when I told him lots of young gals going to college here do it to help pay for their education etc.
After one of their private huddles, they started asking me how I meet the "prostitutes" at their place etc. I was careful to avoid any incall discussion saying I had them come to my hotel room which is perfectly legal in Canada and most of the world except the U.S. I seemed to amaze them when I commented that the agencies are licensed by Victoria (my pre trip notes made it obvious I had the names of agencies) and there is nothing illegal selling time with gals (but not specifically for sex, but as consenting adults, in private....)
Then they got into how I meet these women and a big discussion of the many Internet boards that thousands of folks go to share and discuss many issues. One asked if it was sort of like tripadvisor.com! I then had to teach them that advertising is perfectly legal on the web etc and basically taught them the solicitation laws about only being illegal in public places.
They asked me what type of discussions I was recenly involved in. I said a provider was asking for comments on what folks like on provider websites to include etc. They seemed amazed that many of the gals participate in such discusions.
By now it was feeling a little less like an interrogation and more curiosity especially from one of the younger agents that talked to me the most.
The most embarrassing moment is when the guy that had my computer came over and asked me about a very old post I had kept from a terb discussion from a lawyer. I had no recollection of where he could have found it. I have lots of old files on my laptop from travels that I haven't gotten around to reading lately or doing anything with. He asked about a note he found... actually by this time he was more laughing about it than using it to interrogate but it left me with mouth open having no idea where it was from: Get this..... He read outloud to all the agents:
Continued
