Gigging in Canada ‘23

[GoesThump]

I play in a cross border Symphony orchestra. We play concerts on both sides of the border.

For the last 25 years or so it has been possible for me to go back-and-forth to play paying musical engagements in Canada. Apparently this is fine as long as I am not staying for an extended period of time, I.e. Coming across to play the gig, getting paid and going right back home again.

To smooth the path I have a Nexus card which allows for expedited custom processing on both sides. It costs $50 for 5 years and it's totally worth it.

I don't expect you will have any problems, but as others have mentioned you should definitely do your homework beforehand.

For what it's worth, I cross regularly from Port Huron Michigan to Sarnia Ontario. I work regularly in the Sarnia Lambton area.

Is that the International Symphony / Sarnia & Port Huron?

I filled in with them a few times back when I was a student at UWO. The univ's conductor (Jerry Summers) was also the conductor there at that time (mid 1990s.) They were fun to play with.


@Jason Hollar : Take the advice given by Bassdroid & others. Get the necessary preliminaries / paperwork done 1st. We *LOVE* excessive bureaucracy here in Canada, but so long as you tick all the boxes, it shouldn't be a big deal.


GT

 

[u2brothr]

I haven’t read this thread so I am positive points have already been covered.

I am a Canadian who gigs in the USA. So I’m sure the reverse is true for you.

In order to play and get paid in the states it requires me (and my band) to get a P2 visa.

In order to get clearance our band had to join the local musicians union and keep our membership up to date.

The union submits your application for a fee. The application to the USA is open and closed for a period of time. Thus we line up our gigs within the opening and closing of the P2 visa.

You can come back home during the visa, and go back again during the visa time. You just have to state that you are crossing using your P2.

If you are a big time band, you need a carnet. This is an itemized list of the gear and serial numbers you are carrying. This is obviously so you don’t add a piece of kit you bought while abroad. Or…. The reverse. You take some gear down to sell.

Our band doesn’t use a carnet, however, prior to crossing we go to a border services office to get an agent to take a look and check off all the items being brought. My card is stamped and when cross, I present my stamped card…. (My band presents their stamped cards).

We’ve only been checked once in all of our times crossing and they have basically looked to identify one or two pieces of gear on the card. (Ain’t nobody got time to go through every piece of equipment and pedal).

I can tell you that I had a friend do this illegally for many years. He would cross… work in the USA and come home while moonlighting with a band.

….. until he got caught. Working across country lines without a visa.

He was banned from entering the USA for five years.

 

[BASSDROID]

Is that the International Symphony / Sarnia & Port Huron?

I filled in with them a few times back when I was a student at UWO. The univ's conductor (Jerry Summers) was also the conductor there at that time (mid 1990s.) They were fun to play with.

The same! Still going strong entering it's 66th season...
Home - International Symphony Orchestra

Rather than derail the thread, I will send you PM.

 

[lomo]

Unrelated to work, but just in case. You will not be permitted to enter with a firearm.

 

[u2brothr]

I should add. The first crossing using the p2 that was applied for, requires us to go in, get photographed and fingerprinted. We are a very friendly and pleasant band. It goes a long way with usa border guards. They are not fooling around.

Crossing back and forth on the same p2 is much easier moving forward.

 

[BASSDROID]

My wife and I moved from the US to Canada from 2018-2019. Crossing the border with a moving truck in tow plus a cat was not fun. When I crossed in my personal car, the agent yelled at me for having my sunglasses on. When I told him we were moving to Canada, he flat out said "you can't do that." My wife is a citizen and I had the necessary paperwork completed, so yeah dude, we can.

Long story short, it was a huge pain. When we moved back, crossing the border back into the states was a breeze. They didn't even search our car or ask us any questions, and the agent was making jokes with my wife. My wife and I later joked that we could have brought back SO much cannabis.

Having been through customs many many times, I have seen almost every scenario.

There are a couple of different techniques that the officers will use to try to throw you off your story. One of them is illustrated here.

Denying that what you are trying to do is possible, or behaving in a somewhat aggressive manner Is intended to unnerve the person being questioned and perhaps throw them off their story if it is false.

The key here is that you were prepared and knew the law in advance. Being able to answer in a calm way with factual information is key and will diffuse this situation. If the officer Is not familiar with the statute in question and they have to go check with a supervisor, be calm and polite. Give them the time they need to verify. Just as with police officers these are trained observers. They will consider signs of nervousness or irritation as justification to dig deeper.

Another technique they will frequently deploy is to ask you the same question twice but worded in a slightly different way. Again they are looking for any inconsistencies no matter how small in your story.

If things start to go down this road don't give up hope. Preparation and patience under fire will save the day.

Customs officers run the gamut of personalities. Some are very stern/by the book individuals. Others are more easy going. They can be affected by having a bad day or a good day just like anyone. It is wise to treat them all with the same level of respect, regardless of their demeanor.

In an earlier post, someone mentioned the value of being well dressed, groomed, et cetera. This is wise advice. A disheveled, Irritated, or distracted person is going to raise red flags.

Again, boring, simple, and truthful is the recipe for success. Know the law as it pertains to your situation. Make their job easy for them.

 

[BASSDROID]

Jason,

Since you are staying for a week, I would also recommend carrying a copy of your contract, contact information for where you will be staying, a letter of intent to hire from the promoter or person who booked you, And a basic outline of your itinerary.

This documentation will act as proof of your intentions and also display that extra level of preparedness.

 

[friskinator]

Having been through customs many many times, I have seen almost every scenario.

There are a couple of different techniques that the officers will use to try to throw you off your story. One of them is illustrated here.

Denying that what you are trying to do is possible, or behaving in a somewhat aggressive manner Is intended to unnerve the person being questioned and perhaps throw them off their story if it is false.

The key here is that you were prepared and knew the law in advance. Being able to answer in a calm way with factual information is key and will diffuse this situation. If the officer Is not familiar with the statute in question and they have to go check with a supervisor, be calm and polite. Give them the time they need to verify. Just as with police officers these are trained observers. They will consider signs of nervousness or irritation as justification to dig deeper.

Another technique they will frequently deploy is to ask you the same question twice but worded in a slightly different way. Again they are looking for any inconsistencies no matter how small in your story.

If things start to go down this road don't give up hope. Preparation and patience under fire will save the day.

Customs officers run the gamut of personalities. Some are very stern/by the book individuals. Others are more easy going. They can be affected by having a bad day or a good day just like anyone. It is wise to treat them all with the same level of respect, regardless of their demeanor.

In an earlier post, someone mentioned the value of being well dressed, groomed, et cetera. This is wise advice. A disheveled, Irritated, or distracted person is going to raise red flags.

Again, boring, simple, and truthful is the recipe for success. Know the law as it pertains to your situation. Make their job easy for them.

Before we crossed back into the US, I wanted to bring some Canadian beer and cider back for some friends. I researched the limits on this and only packed the exact amount of liters that were permitted. The agent didn't look or ask if we had any food or drinks at all.

By contrast, not long after we moved into Canada, we had to return the rental car we used for the trip on the US side. I drove the rental and my wife drove her personal car for the return trip. When I was crossing into the US with the rental, the agent looked at the rental license plate, then asked me to pull over to a designated area. I then had to go into an office and wait for about an hour without anyone telling me anything about why I was waiting. Finally, someone called my name and said I could leave. I still have no idea what it was about.

 

[BASSDROID]

Before we crossed back into the US, I wanted to bring some Canadian beer and cider back for some friends. I researched the limits on this and only packed the exact amount of liters that were permitted. The agent didn't look or ask if we had any food or drinks at all.

By contrast, not long after we moved into Canada, we had to return the rental car we used for the trip on the US side. I drove the rental and my wife drove her personal car for the return trip. When I was crossing into the US with the rental, the agent looked at the rental license plate, then asked me to pull over to a designated area. I then had to go into an office and wait for about an hour without anyone telling me anything about why I was waiting. Finally, someone called my name and said I could leave. I still have no idea what it was about.

I'd say that first instance was probably luck of the draw.

In the 2nd case, my guess would be that they ran your plate and were following up with the rental agency while you were waiting. They could confirm your story without necessarily having to talk to you about it.

 

[u2brothr]

Before we crossed back into the US, I wanted to bring some Canadian beer and cider back for some friends. I researched the limits on this and only packed the exact amount of liters that were permitted. The agent didn't look or ask if we had any food or drinks at all.

By contrast, not long after we moved into Canada, we had to return the rental car we used for the trip on the US side. I drove the rental and my wife drove her personal car for the return trip. When I was crossing into the US with the rental, the agent looked at the rental license plate, then asked me to pull over to a designated area. I then had to go into an office and wait for about an hour without anyone telling me anything about why I was waiting. Finally, someone called my name and said I could leave. I still have no idea what it was about.

Sometimes when you are inside, they check the contents of your car.

 

[friskinator]

Sometimes when you are inside, they check the contents of your car.

That is certainly possible. The worst part was that my wife was texting me from across the border asking what was wrong, and all I could say was "I have no idea!"

 

[Jazzdogg]

Searched and found some zombie threads - hoping for some updated info.

Got an offer to play a week at a winery in Ontario followed by a private event.

I’ve got my US passport & the fancy new passport card.

How does this work?

Any work visa / permit required? Paperwork from venue? Equipment list?

I’ll be driving - taking minimal kit, maybe two electric basses and two small combos (gotta have my TB approved backups).

We spent 6 months traveling through Canada by RV last year. At that time, we had to utilize the ARRIVECANADA app every time we crossed the border into Canada because of Covid. Friends planned to join us, but were refused entry because they failed to use the app.

You might want to verify current border crossing rules.

 

[friskinator]

Unless this gig pays some legit coin, it may not be worth the hassle. Just something to consider.

 

[P. Aaron]

I'll admit that this excessive inquisition we encounter when crossing from Canada back to the USA started post 9/11. Prior to that, it was Canadian shoppers crossing back to Canada from the USA side that seemed to suffer the declarative demands of their American 'visits'.

As single party-house musicians in the 80's, we'd venture to the Canadian Beer Stores quite often and score 5.0% Molson and LaBatt's fare before 5.0 became a 'thing' stateside. Up 'till 9/11, I still did the Beer Store visits when the Mrs and I visited our Canadian cousins over the holidays. It was always cordial either side of the tunnel or bridge coming in to Detroit/Windsor.

USA officials would ask for receipts and waived us on. Canadian's were delighted to get our business. It's all changed now. Bummer.

 

[AMJBASS]

The air quality is very bad right now due to literally hundreds of forest fires raging in Quebec and Ontario. Something to think about. I can see the haze looking 50 yards down the street.

No kidding! Its pretty crazy right now. Not the most ideal situation for being outdoors.

 

[Fender_Bender]

No kidding! Its pretty crazy right now. Not the most ideal situation for being outdoors.

Yeah, I put it out in case anyone in the band has breathing issues. Ending up in the hospital in a foreign country could be very pricey.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Some recent developments for those playing along at home.

Well, the Guy who referred me to the BL is out. Turns out there may be a past issue that would very likely bar his entry.

And so, BL is trying to line up another player … but the reason I was psyched to do the job with the Guy up front is that I’ve backed him up a bunch, basically know all his tunes and his style, and so on.

So I’m in a holding pattern until BL gets personnel straightened out. But then there are still all the travel arrangements.

Fortunately other bookings are still coming in and I’ll likely end up with an offer for something a lot closer to home.

Still hoping it could work out though! I do love me some poutine - it tastes so much better north of the border!

 

[steve_rolfeca]

What a difference a little rain makes…

Just a short shower last night, and air quality is back down to 29 from a dangerous 114 a few days ago.

Hoping that other provinces and states were blessed with it as well!

 

[friskinator]

Some recent developments for those playing along at home.

Well, the Guy who referred me to the BL is out. Turns out there may be a past issue that would very likely bar his entry.

And so, BL is trying to line up another player … but the reason I was psyched to do the job with the Guy up front is that I’ve backed him up a bunch, basically know all his tunes and his style, and so on.

So I’m in a holding pattern until BL gets personnel straightened out. But then there are still all the travel arrangements.

Fortunately other bookings are still coming in and I’ll likely end up with an offer for something a lot closer to home.

Still hoping it could work out though! I do love me some poutine - it tastes so much better north of the border!

Can you get good poutine outside Quebec? I thought they claimed the best.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Can you get good poutine outside Quebec? I thought they claimed the best.

LoL - you’re trying to start an international incident.