i personally have been thrue this. for dui. there is a process you can do to get what they call a 30 day stay. i did this about 12 years ago for my sisters wedding reception that was on the canadian side of the border. back then it was 140.00 for this. we went right to the border and took care of it there ahead of time. there also is the parden process. when i looked into it it was 200.00-1000.00 with no garuntee of a parden. also it does not matter how many years ago the conviction was. if they stop you and check,they can deny entrance at anytime. i was told that if i try to get into canada and they catch me i go straight to jail,because im considered a felon in canada. wich is great since im not a felon in the usa.