# Do Canadian cities' influence bleed into the United States? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 21, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502 "2007-10-21T21:22:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/21 "2007-10-24T00:59:41Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] The ferry’s dead. On one hand, it’s true that Toronto never really invested what it was supposed to in the ferry infrastructure. On the other, it’s hard to justify spending the Toronto taxpayer’s money on a ferry that went somewhere nobody wants to go, and I can appreciate why the city bailed on what was obviously a losing proposition. I don’t have anything against the good people of Rochester, but the demand for trips to Rochester from Toronto is pretty much nonexistent. If a Toronto resident wants to see a dirty old industrial city, Hamilton’s just 40 minutes away and you don’t need a passport. [/QUOTE] All it would’ve taken was a small amount of enthusiasm and very few bucks. Did you ever see the docking area? Cripes, it was like stepping off board onto Stelco territory. As far as I know, a decent number of Americans came over while the service was running, and presumably they spent some bucks in the city, so it’s not as though TO was getting absolutely nothing out of it. Anyway, it’s not the first Lake Ontario ferry service to go belly up, but I thought this one had a shot. Just sad to see it fail. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/22 "2007-10-24T02:27:49Z")
Hi. I lived in Great Falls, MT for three years. There was _minimal_ influence of Calgary (or any Canadian presence) there, and I’ll personally vouch that there was more Canadian influence in Minot, North Dakota than there ever was in Great Falls. Why? Great Falls, MT is bigger than Minot, and Minot tended to cater more to Canadians. I think the family ties of Scandinavians brought a lot more people into Minot for the HostFest than any rodeo or ‘national event’ could bring into Great Falls. As for driving, I’ve been to Winnipeg and Regina from Minot, but only to Lethbridge from Great Falls. I always thought (and heard) Calgary was a further drive, but that’s only as the crows fly. . . Tripler Yup. Them Montana crows can fly far. . . or something. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@Captain\_Socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Socks)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/23 "2007-10-24T20:00:39Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] Hi. I lived in Great Falls, MT for three years. There was _minimal_ influence of Calgary (or any Canadian presence) there, and I’ll personally vouch that there was more Canadian influence in Minot, North Dakota than there ever was in Great Falls. Why? Great Falls, MT is bigger than Minot, and Minot tended to cater more to Canadians. I think the family ties of Scandinavians brought a lot more people into Minot for the HostFest than any rodeo or ‘national event’ could bring into Great Falls. As for driving, I’ve been to Winnipeg and Regina from Minot, but only to Lethbridge from Great Falls. I always thought (and heard) Calgary was a further drive, but that’s only as the crows fly. . . Tripler Yup. Them Montana crows can fly far. . . or something. [/QUOTE] What’s the influence in Minot? Regina? Winnipeg? Definitely not Calgary. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/24 "2007-10-25T00:37:44Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Socks] What’s the influence in Minot? Regina? Winnipeg? Definitely not Calgary. [/QUOTE] It was mostly Regina and Winnipeg, with a little Estevan thrown in on the side. Tripler Met a gal from Moose Jaw once, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/25 "2007-10-25T01:33:30Z")
Hey, I’m from Moose Jaw! (Born there, anyway - I don’t admit that to a lot of people.) For the record, Canada/US border crossing is going to require passports or some other secure document showing citizenship for all crossings come January 1, 2008. Passports are required for boats and planes now. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/26 "2007-10-25T01:50:16Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] As for driving, I’ve been to Winnipeg and Regina from Minot, but only to Lethbridge from Great Falls. I always thought (and heard) Calgary was a further drive, but that’s only as the crows fly. . . [/QUOTE] Yep. Calgary is a good two hours beyond my parents’ place (for the record, you spent the night in Barons, Alberta; population 327). And the only reason you didn’t make it to Calgary is that you punked out on the Stampede. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/27 "2007-10-25T02:17:41Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] For the record, Canada/US border crossing is going to require passports or some other secure document showing citizenship for all crossings come January 1, 2008. [/QUOTE] I thought they delayed that until at least June 2008? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/28 "2007-10-25T02:24:43Z")
[QUOTE=Lunar Saltlick] All it would’ve taken was a small amount of enthusiasm and very few bucks. Did you ever see the docking area? Cripes, it was like stepping off board onto Stelco territory. As far as I know, a decent number of Americans came over while the service was running, and presumably they spent some bucks in the city, so it’s not as though TO was getting absolutely nothing out of it. Anyway, it’s not the first Lake Ontario ferry service to go belly up, but I thought this one had a shot. Just sad to see it fail. [/QUOTE] Well, Toronto took their usual tactic of talking and talking until the first opportunity had passed, and then played catchup, thus shooting themselves in the foot, so that’s not a surprise. But that wouldn’t have stopped a more profitable service. I think the thing was marginal enough that it only tool a few confluencing factors to kill it: Toronto’s delays in building their ferry terminal, the year’s delay in getting permission to transport trucks, the ship’s engine troubles, the lack of strong desire on the part of Torontonians to go south, perhaps too large a ship (did you ever go down to Cherry Beach and see it coming in? It was _huge_!), etc. At least **Booker57** got to ride it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/29 "2007-10-25T04:23:59Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] I thought they delayed that until at least June 2008? [/QUOTE] Doing a quick Google, it looks like it’s still January. If you have more updated info, please feel free to share. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/30 "2007-10-25T04:31:50Z")
[QUOTE=matt\_mcl] Plattsburgh is attempting to bill its airport as “Montreal’s U.S. Airport.” I wasn’t aware we needed a U.S. airport. [/QUOTE] Maybe you don’t NEED one, but isn’t it fun to have one? You know, to play with? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/31 "2007-10-25T05:13:38Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] Doing a quick Google, it looks like it’s still January. If you have more updated info, please feel free to share. 🙂 [/QUOTE] [External Affairs](http://voyage.gc.ca/) states that > [@](#): > > For land and sea travel to the United States, the new rules are not yet in place. Canadians can continue to use such documents as their birth certificates and drivers’ licences to cross the Canada-U.S. border by land and sea until further notice. [Border Services](http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/menu-eng.html) states that > [@](#): > > Canadian citizens will not require a passport or other secure document to enter the United States at **land** ports of entry until summer 2008 at the earliest. and > [@](#): > > Canadian citizens will not require a passport or other secure document to enter the United States at **marine** ports of entry until summer 2008 at the earliest. (bolding mine) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/32 "2007-10-25T13:20:28Z")
Oh, sure, go to the government sites to find info on…the government. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/33 "2007-10-25T15:08:39Z")
[QUOTE=bordelond] What all is involved with crossing the Canadian border these days? I thought maybe the security measures might have rolled back a bit closer to the pre-9-11 levels. [/quote] IME, it’s not all increased security, it’s traffic. More often than not, it’s a frinkin’ PITA to try to go through Blaine any time after, say, noon Thursday through 10 p.m. Sunday, in both directions. > [@](#): > > I’m looking at some cool Google maps of the area between White Rock, BC and Blaine, WA. There seems to be a joint park in operation there: the Peace Arch Provincial/State Park. Can’t tell from the satellite map, but there appears to be no fence or anything in the park. There isn’t a fence. You can go into Peace Arch Park and then walk across, but why? Then you’re in BC on foot and it’s not like there’s a shopping mall two blocks over. And yes, you can cross the border on foot in lots of places, all along the US/CA border, but again – why? I assume most people cross the border at the crossings, in their cars, and legally. And that can be a real PITA. I can also relay from personal experience that whatever time the U.S. authorities are going to start _requiring_ people to cross with a passport, they have already begun hassling U.S. citizens who try to cross without one: _Why don’t you have one? When are you going to get one? You need to have one._ When I got shirty with them and informed them I didn’t have one because I knew full well I didn’t need one, I then got to cool my heels for an hour while they searched my car. I finally went and got a passport so they’d stop giving me a hard time. Just like they wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502/34 "2007-10-25T15:17:38Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] Well, Toronto took their usual tactic of talking and talking until the first opportunity had passed, and then played catchup, thus shooting themselves in the foot, so that’s not a surprise. But that wouldn’t have stopped a more profitable service. I think the thing was marginal enough that it only tool a few confluencing factors to kill it: Toronto’s delays in building their ferry terminal, the year’s delay in getting permission to transport trucks, the ship’s engine troubles, the lack of strong desire on the part of Torontonians to go south, perhaps too large a ship (did you ever go down to Cherry Beach and see it coming in? It was _huge_!), etc. At least **Booker57** got to ride it. [/QUOTE] A big problem with the ferry, from what I could tell, was that there was no particular reason for Torontonians to pony up the cash to fund the necessary infrastructure - at the time - as very few people around here really wanted to go to Rochester. All that may be changed with the rise of the Canadian dollar though - a pleasant jaunt across the lake for a day of shopping may have appeal, now. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-canadian-cities-influence-bleed-into-the-united-states/423502.md?page=1)