More trouble for bands at the border

Some more bad news is coming in for touring bands. It seems that individuals entering Canada are now being forced to undergo much stricter background checks, with the country turning away people for minor offenses, like 30-year old marijuana convictions or even shoplifting.

Visiting Canada has always been difficult for American bands, but it was mostly due to commerce laws. Bands are frequently searched simply because traveling musicians have made border guards suspicious of both drug use, or people importing goods for sale without paying taxes. This new wrinkle will only further the problem.

It is unfortunate because a band traveling to Buffalo, NY can drive an extra hour to Toronto, Ontario in Canada and reach a new potential audience of six million people, as well as some friendly people.

The only option available is for bands to now apply for "a Minister's Approval of Rehabilitation" to wipe the record clear. However, this, coupled with the already strict laws which can add 15% taxes to the retail price of a box of shirts or CDs, is likely to make travelling to Canada even less of an option for smaller bands.