What do you Canadians think of the unguarded USA Canada border?

Question

What do you Canadians think about it? I know illegal immigration and smuggling along the Mexican border is a hot topic right now. But we have become susceptible to terrorists entering USA via Canada crossing into the USA. I'm not saying terrorists are sneaking or entering the U.S through Canada thats just stupid. But shouldn't there be just an increase of secruity. For example, Its like a person break into your house and vandalize it. To prevent something like this to ever happen again you install a home security system. Were not pointing the finger at our neighbors. Shouldn't the U.S have learned it lesson during times like 9/11, Times Square Bomb, and The Boston Marathon Bombing. Would Canadians be mad if they had to go through several secruity checkpoints and guards? Would you be ok if the border became more stricter?

Answer 1

Americans are so bat $hit crazy about a perceived terrorist coming from abroad they can't see what's happening in your own country. There have been hundreds of acts of terror over the years coming from within but you focus on outside, if that's not bat $hit crazy what is?

just in the last few years here is a sample.

1 1995 April 19: Oklahoma City bombing

2 1995 finely caught the Unabomber' that terrorized for years

3 1997 Ali Hassan Abu Kamal opens fire on tourists at an observation deck atop the Empire State Building

4 1999 December 31 An arson fire causes one million dollars in damage and destroys the fourth floor of Michigan State University's Agriculture Hall.

5 2000 October 13, Firebombing of Temple Beth El (Syracuse)

6 2000: 2000 New York terror attack Three young men of Arab descent hurled crude Molotov cocktails at a synagogue in The Bronx

7 2001 May 21 The Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington burned by the Earth Liberation Front.

8 2001 September 11: September 11, 2001 attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda

9 2001 September 18 - November: 2001 anthrax attacks

10 2002 July 4: 2002 Los Angeles Airport shooting Hesham Mohamed Hadayet, a 41-year-old Egyptian national, kills two Israelis and wounds four others at the El Al ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport

11 October 2002 Beltway sniper attacks

12 2003 Ohio highway sniper attacks

13 2006 July 28: Seattle Jewish Federation shooting, Naveed Afzal Haq, an American citizen of Pakistani descent, kills one woman and shoots five others at the Jewish Federation building in Seattle.

14 2007 October 26: A pair of improvised explosive devices were thrown at the Mexican Consulate in New York City

15 2008 March 3: Four multimillion-dollar show homes place in Woodinville, Washington, are torched. The Earth Liberation Front is suspected

16 2008 March 6: A homemade bomb damaged a Recruiting Office in Times Square

17 2008 May 4: Multiple pipe bombs exploded at the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse in San Diego

18 2008 August 2, August 3 University of California-Santa Cruz molecular biologist David Feldheim's home was firebombed.

19 2009 May 25: 17-year old Kyle Shaw sets off a crude explosive device at a Starbucks at East 92nd Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan

20 2009 November 5: Fort Hood Shooting

21 skip a few then 2013 April 15: Boston Marathon bombings

22 2013 April 16: April 2013 ricin letters: Two letters, sent to Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker and president Barack Obama



These are just some of the terror acts in the last few years and none of them came from Canada and you're concerned about tightening your border/ I think its us that should be tightening ours you people are bat $hit crazy and dangerous to the welfare of the planet.

Answer 2

We are quite proud that Canada and the USA can have such a lightly guarded border. But make no error that it is unguarded. If someone tries to walk across the border along 0 Ave in Surrey BC to Blaine WA. that the Birder Patrol on one side or the other will be there in a couple minutes. There is electronic surveillance on the border and drone aircraft. As for a fence, a lot of the border is so rugged, a fence cannot be built. Also note the 9/11 terrorists got into the USA on legal visas issued by the US government. The ones that flew took flying lessons in the USA. As far as keeping "illegal" Canadian workers out of the USA, this is not an issue. There is a special visa for Canadians and Americans to work in each other's country with little hassle. This Canadian worked legally in the USA from 2001 to 2010. SO if it is easy to work legal in the USA, there is no need for a fence to keep out illegal immigrants.

Answer 3

There's no reason to think terrorists would enter the USA via Canada. Canada's only land border is with the US, and our entry procedures for other foreigners entering at airports and seaports are perfectly adequate to prevent terrorists from entering. If they can't get into Canada in the first place, then there's no risk of them hopping over to the US. The reality is that the Canada-US border is the longest in the world, and it would be much too expensive to patrol the whole thing 24/7. Since the US and Canada are both western democracies with similar immigration policies, the biggest threat is really illegal drug smuggling; we've never really had a problem with human smuggling. The only when people were crossing the border illegally in significant numbers was during the Vietnam War when many Americans escaped the draft by going to Canada.



The three examples you mention could not have been prevented by increased border security with Canada. The Times Square bomber was an American Citizen, the Boston Marathon bombers were refugees who had come to America as children, and the 9/11 terrorists all hijacked domestic American flights.



As we've seen with the new passport requirements, increased border security between Canada and the US only serves to hurt trade and tourism. If it were up to me I would say we should establish an open border, similar to the Schengen Area of Europe.

Answer 4

As a Canadian that has visited the US regularly before and after 9/11 I can tell you security has increased alot. Both ways a well since alot of Canadian fun crime can trace its roots to American smuggled guns. I think the policy makers on both sides have done a pretty good job checking for security and ensuring a good flow of trade.



I think that most Americans have a perception about the border that is very different from reality. Whenever anything goes wrong down there the American media speculates the perpetrators came from Canada. This was particularly annoying after 9/11 when most Americans had this perception, even though not one of the perpetrators came through Canada. Furthermore, there seems to e a perception. In the US that Canada lets in anyone. This is also very false.



I think people on both sides of the border should get their information from sources other than the popular media.

Answer 5

I do get what your saying but putting fences on Canada's border won't really solve anything. Only 31 border patrol agents have been killed in shoot outs. None of those deaths were in the Canadian border. They were in the US Mexican border. The US isn't interested in Canada. There more focus on stopping illegal immigrants and drug cartels entering the country.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

"But we have become susceptible to terrorists entering USA via Canada crossing into the USA. I'm not saying terrorists are sneaking or entering the U.S through Canada thats just stupid."

You kind of contradicted yourself there. If terrorists are not sneaking to the US through the border, then how did it become susceptible for terrorists to be a threat through that border if there wasn't a preceding terrorist event? If there wasn't, then wouldn't that just be paranoia talking?



"Were not pointing the finger at our neighbors. Shouldn't the U.S have learned it lesson during times like 9/11, Times Square Bomb, and The Boston Marathon Bombing."



9/11: Terrorists did not go into the US through Canada. Even if they did, as Needful Sinner pointed out, it would be the US border guards who did it.



Times Square Bomb (May 2010): He was a Connecticut resident.



Boston Marathon: Perpetrators were permanent residents of the US.



So what does this have to do with the US-Canada border?



Okay, I'm doing pointing things out. I think that strengthening security where the threat is close to non-existent is a waste of taxpayers' money. I really don't care about the border - I don't cross it enough to mind - but the people who do it regularly are bound to have some objections. Well, I don't mind as long as the US takes up the cost. It's them who want to strengthen the border, not us. -shrugs-



I'm sure I'd think differently if a major terrorist plot actually succeeded here. But the latest plot I can remember was the failed VIA Rail one, and from what I remember, the suspects were Tunisian and Pakistan citizens. Nothing to do with the US (aside from the impressive teamwork between the two countries).



Besides, the borders are already stricter than before.

Answer 8

What do you Canadians think about it?



It is not unguarded Canada does not want illegal Americans coming North.



But we have become susceptible to terrorists entering USA via Canada crossing into the USA. I'm not saying terrorists are sneaking or entering the U.S through Canada thats just stupid.



What are you saying REALLY?



Shouldn't the U.S have learned it lesson during times like 9/11, Times Square Bomb, and The Boston Marathon Bombing.



These incidents are related to Canada? Did you ever check to see how many CANADIANS were killed or injured? Yes you would think Americans would learn from past mistakes but the learning curve seems to be rather short lived.



How many Check points would you like to go through when you visit some place.One five or ten.



If the Border becomes more closed and harder to pass how do you expect your goods to be sold in Canada.

1,121,300 California jobs depend on trade with Canada

41,200 Californians are employed by Canadian-owned businesses

Total Canada–California goods trade: $43.1 billion

California visits by Canadians: 1,842,100; $1.5 billion spent. Do you want this business at local Hotels and restaurants and tourist sites?



Were not pointing the finger at our neighbors



Pray tell where are you pointing your finger look at you hand and see which direction the other fingers point.



Would a strip search be adequate for you.? Did you want to be the bend over and cough inspector?

No need for a TSA pat down.



Curious how do you feel about the recently announced plan that Canadian Border and Police officials will operate in the USA near the border and be exempt from US LAW?



Oops I have it wrong it is the USA that wants to do this in CANADA.



Edit



September 10 1939 Canada joins the fight in Europe

December 7 1941 Canada joins the fight in the Pacific.



USA

December 8 1941

Do you plan on closing the gates. They have been open for ninety years.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/peace_arch/



I really do not want to see a daily show like this at the border.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ0ue-XGl9c



EDIT by the other responses I think you struck a nerve.

Answer 9

First off, it most certainly is not unguarded. US authorities as well as Canadian authorities patrol the border on a regular bases. There are also other mechanisms to monitor the boarder including but not limited to aerial surveillance, cameras, drones, satellites, sensors and IR technologies. Those coming into the US from Canada currently require an official, valid, government issued and machine readable passport. That passport data is compared against police records and criminal records for both countries and detailed records are kept of who enters or exits the countries and at what time/date and location.



Your worry about terrorists sneaking across the boarder is unfounded and is based on the false premis that the 911 terrorists entered the US illegally through Canada. An assumption that was proven totally incorrect since they entered the US directly. As well, the Boston bomber incident had nothing to do with Canada as well.



After that, I don't worry about the boarder. You mistakenly assume that it is the only layer of protection for the US along the north. Rest assured Canada is a full partner in many continental security initiatives such as NORAD and our own boarder security has been tightened for entry into Canada. We have also been forced to go along with the US in requiring those crossing the US/Canada boarder to have passports.



If security gets tightened much further it will start to have some pretty serious impacts on trade and tourism which will negatively effect both countries. If you tighten things for individuals then trucks, trains, ships, planes all get impacted and you will find your costs for softwood lumber (for building your homes), oil and gas products (for heating those homes and operating your cars), autos themselves, food products, plastics and mineral products would all be impacted. In 2011 alone the trade between our two nations totaled $680 BILLION. Thats a lot to be impacted by additional security measures that are not required.

Answer 10

This is probably a troll question but anyways.



The border isn't unguarded. Security has become more strict.



There has been increased security since 9/11 on both sides of the border.



Most of your terrorist incidents in the US have been from people entering the US directly from overseas or are of the homegrown kind.



But fingers were pointed at Canada after 9/11. Many people in the US still believe the urban legend that those 19 hijackers snuck into the US via Canada.



In turn, Canada has its own problems sharing a border with the US which you never hear about in the US media.



Canada must be vigilant about smugglers of drugs & weapons & undesirables coming from the United States.

Answer 11

Daniel, the Canadian/US boarder unguarded, how so, please tell us you views? Do you have any idea, of the additional salaries and costs for our mobile service agents, and dog handlers, that patrol day and night. Also the civilian surveillance set up along the boarder, that have agents on speed dial.



Those Military jets and aircraft you see up there on exercise duty, do you really think the location they fly, is for scenic gesture? But we also have a few other boarders to look after, one that boarders us to Alaska, and the other heavily boarders to our extreme north, feel sorry for the guys that have to work under those conditions.



Now your crying about 9/11, which you had warning before it happen, Then there is Oklahoma and a couple of others. Can you honestly sit there and match dollar for dollar fro dollar, what we fork out in boarder control to what you do. The only other boarder you control is the one between Mexico and the US.

Answer 12

I think you need to smarten up because the border is undefended, not unguarded.

What's that even mean? This:



It's guarded by the Canada Border Services and US Customs & Border Patrol agencies, along with local and national law enforcement agencies including the Canadian & American Coast Guards.

And others such as Homeland Security on the US side and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on the Canadian side.



Undefended = Not defended by army, navy & airforce units like other countries do it.





You're susceptible?

Look at the long list of other terrorist attacks on US soil that "Mr." provided you with.

Copycats have tried - and failed - to conduct similar attacks on Canadian soil.

Fortunately, we were able to foil all of them before they could be carried out.



We're the ones susceptible because the US decided to p*ss off the planet to the point where everybody wants to kill you people.

And if they can't get at you, they'll settle for your friends and neighbours.

Thanks America. Way to be a total douche and drag us into your mess.



As for the border, yes, we need to impose stricter controls.

There's been an increase in riff-raff trying to get into Canada:



'Americans moving to Canada in record numbers: report'

'U.S. students flocking to study in Canada for cheaper fees'

'U.S. Unemployment: Canada Sees "Dramatic Growth" In American Job-Seekers'

'Americans are the latest economic refugees, and they’re heading to Canada'

Answer 13

We spent an interesting journey last year, hearing about Canadians who lived backing onto an American cattle ranch out West.



Before 9-11, if an animal broke through onto their property, they would call the farmer, tell him, and give him a coffee before he collected the cow.



After 9-11, if an animal broke the fence, a truckful of agents would arrive at high speed on the American side, and call the Canadians to take the animal into custody. The owner had to cross the border with his truck and passport, fill out importation into the US forms and take the cow home.



Neither side liked the new arrangement.



We already go through multiple points to enter the US. Try flying from Toronto and getting a US customs agent, on Canadian soil, snarling at travellers before they board.

Answer 14

danny boy the border has become more hard to cross so wake up since 911 we now have to have a passport to cross before we only needed a drivers license and birth certificate a privilege for Canadians that has been lost do to 911. Mad no we accept that to be safer these things need be.

In our own country Canada we have more and more security at airports as well so maybe you were not aware of this.

Answer 15

There has been a HUGE increases in security at the Canada-USA border. Because Americans think terrorists are coming from Canada for a start. Of course, they aren't; Canada doesn't let terrorists in to our country. But, Americans don't seem to know this.



Examples: electronic detection systems, armed border guards, Blackhawk helicopter patrols (I've seen them), the new Passport requirements, and, and, and... The border is no longer unguarded at all. We Canadians do have to go through checkpoints and guards, and, with no passport, we can't even get in at all which we used to be able to do.



The border is now so strict, I have not crossed it since 2008 or so, even though I only live around 125km from the border.

Answer 16

The 9/11 terrorists did not come from Canada and neither did the Boston bombers. Start by looking inside your own borders first.

Answer 17

If you want to make a point (other than posting troll questions I mean), then you really need to use better examples.



9-11 Terrorists Entered USA Through Canada (legally or illegally)

This is a myth that (sadly) some misinformed or fear-mongering US politicians are still stating as fact to this day. In truth, NONE of the 9-11 terrorists entered from Canada. All were issued US visas from US consulates abroad (Saudi Arabia, Germany, UAE). All were allowed in by US Customs and Border Protection.

http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/staff_statements/staff_statement_1.pdf



2010 Times Square Bombing Attempt

Faisal Shahzad was responsible for that. He was living in Connecticut. How is that something your fence or tighter border controls would have helped? Unless you plan to put fences and border checkpoints between each state?

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/times-square-bomb-suspect-faisal-shahzad-normal-dude-making-neighbors-suspicious-article-1.444286



2013 Boston Marathon Bombings

The Tsarnaev brothers that were responsible for the bombings in Boston were US citizens. There is no sign that the brothers, or their two friends recently indicted, ever even visited Canada.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/updates-on-investigation-into-multiple-explosions-in-boston



The reason Canada has a GUARDED yet undefended border here is that we trust Americans to not try and cross into Canada illegally, and that Americans trust Canada will do a good job to keep illegals from coming in through the northern border.



I'll tell you what...if Americans like you are so paranoid of Canadians letting terrorists in through that border, feel free to tighten the border even more. I don't NEED to do cross-border shopping, or vacation in Florida. I have Mexico, Cuba, and places in Europe or Asia who are more than happy to take my tourist dollars.



Heck put up a fence if you like. And much like I would tell my neighbours since I don't see the need for one, just build it on YOUR property and don't expect me to pay for it. I'm sure it won't add too much to the US National Debt. What's a few more billion when you already owe trillions, right?

Answer 18

" Were not pointing the finger at our neighbors. Shouldn't the U.S have learned it lesson during times like 9/11, Times Square Bomb, and The Boston Marathon Bombing."



You asked for an honest answer.

You are not going to like it however - but it's all unarguable truth.



Every-time a tragedy happens in the USA they look for someone to blame. Americans never do anything wrong, it's always someone else's fault if bad things happen.



After 911 the USA did blame Canada. Are you unaware of this?

It was Canada who let the terrorist's in. Build a fence American's screamed.

"U.S. mulls Canadian border fence"

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/09/29/fence-border-canada.html



How totally laughable.

Was it not a US Border Guard who waved them in, if true?

Should we make 'if you hate the USA' a reason not to allow people in?

Where is Canada guilty in any of this...



What Canada did was save US butt going as far back as WW2.

When the Japanese captured two islands off Alaska Canada let the US military build bases on Canadian soil so the USA could better defend their own soil and citizens.

Operation Drumbeat when UBoats sunk over 600 ships off the US east coast in just a few short months the RCN beat off the attacks and did escort duty from NYC. Boston, and Texas during 1942.



During 911 Canada was diverting every aircraft it could over North America to land instead at Canadian airports - so they wouldn't pose a threat to the USA.

We had our fighters in the air protecting both countries from attack also.

We were in Afghanistan; not because we should be but instead simply because the US asked it's allies for help.



I think the USA needs to learn a bit more about it's own history, and learn a bit more about who it's allies are - before they start pointing fingers or building walls at or between their own friends.

[in a world where they have precious few]



Instead of thinking the likes of Canada are worrisome... stop flying drones over sovereign countries taking out civilians you deem are threats - knowing darned well if North Korea fly and armed aircraft over the USA and did the same thing the US would say this was barbaric and an act of war.



Canada doesn't breed terrorists or school yard shooters my friend, US policy does.

If that gets a thumbs down I guess I'll start pretending I'm wrong lol - whatever.

Answer 19

How about we just shut down both borders. I think that would be a better alternative

Answer 20

Its guarded more than you think it is, Canadian hunters along the border areas have been known to blow American heads right off mistaking them for moose considering how obese the average American is could you blame them?