Public Conduct — Canada
What travelers need to know about public conduct in Canada. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Public Conduct in Canada: restricted — there are real limits travelers must follow.
A past conviction can get you turned around at the Canadian border, and impaired driving is the one that catches Americans: IRCC says a DUI may make you inadmissible for serious criminality, whether it happened in Canada or not. An officer decides when you arrive, so deal with it before you travel - a rehabilitation application can take a year, and even a valid permit does not guarantee you get in.
Refusal of entry to Canada, or removal if you are already there. IRCC fees for the remedies: rehabilitation for serious criminality CAD $1,231.00; rehabilitation for criminality CAD $246.25; temporary resident permit CAD $246.25 per person; authorization to return to Canada CAD $492.50. Rehabilitation applications can take over a year, and neither a permit nor deemed rehabilitation guarantees entry.
§ Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)Verified Aug 25, 2026