I was refused entry into Quebec because I didn’t have a passport.
It was during a cross-country bus trip (GreyHound) from Washington State into Vermont. The last leg of my trip went from Albany, NY up to Montreal and then back down into Burlington, VT.
The bus driver who was letting people on, said I couldn’t get on without a passport. I had to spend the night in the bus terminal in Albany and catch a bus from Albany to Burlington the next day. I think he screwed up and I was pissed.
I organize visiting scientists to Canada on a regular basis.
You COULD need a passport if you are flying into Canada, particularly if you’re coming on business. Its a good idea to have one.
Apparently, we (Canada) have tightened up our border patrol because of a nasty fish dispute of the west coast. I don’t know if you anyone recalls, but a couple of years ago, a bunch of Canadian fishing boats took an Alaskain Ferry “hostage” to protest American overfishing of salmon in the Pacific ocean. (Apparently). Anyhow, the US got crabby, Canada got crabby, and now my scientists have to have a passport, just in case.