T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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423.1 | B.C. Lineups | VAOU02::HALLIDAY | lashings of a recipe | Sun Mar 24 1991 12:46 | 20 |
| I spent the afternoon in Bellingham, Washington yesterday, and had the
unfortunate experience of hitting a border lineup (B.C. Highway 13/
Washington Highway 539) that was 2 miles long, and moving a couple of
carlengths every 5-10 minutes. I gave up and tried later at a different
border crossing (B.C. Highway 99/Interstate 5), getting through in 20
minutes. The lineup south took 2 minutes, and only once in a year and a
half has taken more than 10 minutes.
I know the effects a relatively open border is having on places like
White Rock, BC and Windsor, Ontario. And now The Authorities are
experimenting with opening the border up still further - they are
starting a pilot of a program whereby frequent border crossers get a
sticker for their windshield and just motor on through. If they have
things to declare, they fill out a form and stick it in a box as they
drive through. Canada Customs will then bill their credit card
automatically for taxes and duties.
A Bold New Step Forward? The end of Canadian commerce?
...laura
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423.2 | lines longer in Ontario | TROA09::MSCHNEIDER | vi.... the editor from hell! | Mon Mar 25 1991 01:10 | 16 |
| The Ontario Court of Appeals recently ruled that an Ontario law
forbidding Sunday shopping was in fact constitutional. A previous
ruling struck the law down and (heaven forbid!) we have had Sunday
shopping since last year some time.
The interesting point is that the border crossings in Niagara report a
higher level of traffic this weekend, the first where there is no
widespread shopping available in Ontario. This combined with the GST
should help to drive even more shoppers across the border, which is
only an 1 1/2 hours from most parts of southern Ontario.
Those who live near the border tend to buy gas and groceries on the US
side. The savings are significant.
Bottom line is the lineups to get back into Canada will only get longer
as the shopping public votes with its feet.
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423.3 | | MQOFS::DESROSIERS | Lets procrastinate....tomorrow | Mon Mar 25 1991 08:39 | 8 |
| Significant savings in taxes NOW, but sooner or later we ALL have to
pay for the services we demand (free medicare, cheap public transports,
good roads, welfare, unemployment insurance, free schools, inexpensive
universities and of course $153 per day per senator who shows up at
work. {oh well nothing is perfect}).
Jean
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423.4 | If we're paying for them, where are they?!?!?! | POLAR::RICHARDSON | Sick in a balanced sort of way | Mon Mar 25 1991 09:24 | 18 |
| Jean,
Good roads? Where? Where? Certainly not in Qu�bec! I think the
highways and roads in this country are embarrassing compared the the
U.S. system of Interstate and State Highways. Driving back from Mass. a
few weeks ago, I made the mistake (I should have known better I lived
in this area) of staying on the I-89 to the Qu�bec border. On the other
side you are teased with about 5 km of 4 lane divided highway. Then you
go back in time... I couldn't believe the old 3 lane death highway from
Philipsburgh to Iberville was still the same! And by the same I mean it
hasn't even been paved since I lived in Marieville during the 70's! I
kept wondering what the Americans must think when they see the
conditions of our highways.... I was embarrassed.
I would gladly pay a toll to not drive on such roads, really!
Glenn (Je me souviens de Les Cantons De l'Est)
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423.5 | Different route? | COGITO::HILL | | Mon Mar 25 1991 11:44 | 10 |
| Glenn,
If you go from Mass to Montreal, you might be better off going on Route
93 through New Hampshire, all the way up to Quebec. Around Granby, it
connects with a major highway (55 I think) that runs between Montral &
Quebec. In terms of mileage, it might be slightly longer, but the time
it takes is a lot less, and certainly better roads. Also, each time I've
gone this route, the border crossings were very quick and easy.
Tom
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423.6 | It depends | POLAR::RICHARDSON | Sick in a balanced sort of way | Mon Mar 25 1991 13:06 | 7 |
| If you were coming from Springfield, this would be out of your way.
What I should have done was cross lake Champlain (over bridges and
causeways Pat...)to Rouses Pt. to the I-87.
If I'm ever coming from Easter Mass. I'll take your advise.
Glenn
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423.7 | Lord tunnerin' jaysus...a convert!! | KAOM25::RUSHTON | The frumious Bandersnatch | Mon Mar 25 1991 14:12 | 3 |
| <<If I'm ever coming from Easter Mass. I'll take your advise.
Taking up Roman Catholicism now, eh Glenn?
|
423.8 | | 58379::RICHARDSON | Sick in a balanced sort of way | Mon Mar 25 1991 20:23 | 1 |
| What a bag of wind.
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423.9 | No Hassle Crossing | JPLAIN::FRITZ | | Tue Mar 26 1991 12:19 | 14 |
| I was recently in San Diego, CA for 6 weeks and visted Mexico with
my own car. Border crossing is just that...crossing the border
IN Mexico, but, coming back was a nightmare.....3 hours to get back
into the states.
Crossing into Quebec via US Route 3 from New Hampshire is a breeze...
one time coming from Quebec, I came down through Chartierville....no
body was at the border...just a lonely empty booth with a sign that
says to cross into the US and report at Stewertstown, VT customs...
Yeah, right!
Rick
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423.10 | | MQOFS::DESROSIERS | Lets procrastinate....tomorrow | Thu Mar 28 1991 08:49 | 15 |
| Glenn, granted some roads ARE bad, but they ARE there. The US has a 50
years lead on ANY country when dealing with major roads (freeways).
Just remember we have to cover as much to go from sea to sea (and more)
than the US but with 10% of the population to pay for it. Granted it
may slow down economic growth, but on the other hand I can get from the
office to home in 15 minutes and if were not for that stupid "grand
canal" crossing, it would even be faster.
Jean
PS, did you go by Venise en Qu�bec, the GRAND CANAL goes trough there
too
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