Currently, Canada has a policy in place that disallows anyone with any kind of criminal record entrance into the country, even as a tourist. While this sounds harmless enough, keep in mind that ANY record of any age or sort immediately bars you from entering Canada. In particular, this affects Americans since their entire criminal, driving, and other personal records are available to Canadian border officials.  This has resulted in a 40% decrease in American traffic to Canada since the rules came into enforceable effect in 2003. Furthermore, this also applies to foreign spouses and family who wish to join their Canadian relatives. If they have a DUI, marijuana possession, etc etc, they are inadmissible and cannot see their family for 5, 10 or even 20 years.  This is an incredibly cruel, draconian, and fiscally irresponsible policy, that hurts regular people, and the Canadian economy as a whole.  While it is understandable to disallow violent or mentally unstable individuals, it is a waste of resources to maintain a system that cuts off nearly 35% of the Earth’s population.  Other countries do not do this, including the United States, and it keeps parents away from children, and wives from husbands. While we do not condone misdemeanours, the punishment should fit the crime, and if an individual has paid their debt to society, they should be  able to visit Canada, especially if it is for the social and economic well being of Canada.