Is Canada Open?

We enjoy visiting Canada and always have a good time while oot and aboot. However, when heading north, one is never sure if Canada will be open. We arrived at the Peace Arch early one Saturday and found the gates open and no lines. Apparently all the armed suspects heading north on I-5 hadn’t reached Bellingham yet.

This happens every now and then. An armed suspect is heading toward the border. When he passes Bellingham, the Canadian border guards walk off the job (it’s in their contract) and close the border. On a local newscast, a snow boarder being interviewed exclaimed, “Wow, some dude came along and said Canada was like closed!”

This particular morning we (middle-aged couple and daughter) arrived at the border (in our minivan made in Ontario) and had the following exchange:

Border Guard: What’s your purpose in coming to Canada, eh?

We’re spending the weekend in Vancouver, attending a concert on Sunday, and returning on Monday.

Border Guard: Do you have a gun in the vehicle, eh?

No.

Border Guard: What kind of gun do you own, eh?

A twenty-two.

Border Guard: Where is the gun now, eh?

At home in a closet.

Border Guard: Do you ever carry the gun in this vehicle, eh?

Sometimes.

Border Guard: Do you ever drive out of the State of Washington with the gun, eh?

No, it’s not legal.

Border Guard: Where is the gun now, eh?

Still at home in the closet.

Border Guard: (with a wave on) Good day.