SELECTED ARTICLES ON CANADA CUSTOMS
THEORIES ON CANADA CUSTOMS BEHAVIOUR
Power Corrupts
When you and your goods pass through Canada Customs, junior
officers have absolute power over you. They can confiscate your
belongings, strip search you, fine you, put you in jail, invade
your privacy, etc. You have no choice but to yield to their
authority. This is a formula for tyranny.
I'm Really Sherlock Holmes
You think I'm just some junior flunky but I get tired of rooting
through your sun tan lotion and brassieres. I'm really a super
sleuth who knows that you're hiding something and I'll catch you.
I hear what you're saying but you won't fool me. I'll send your
goods to a laboratory. I'll even invade your body with rubber
gloves. I know you can't be trusted and I'm going to catch you.
Not Enough Real Work
In other countries customs officers have plenty of real work to
do. In Changi Airport in Singapore there are no more than six
customs officers on duty. This is the busiest airport in
Southeast Asia which services a domestic market of 2.8 million
people and an annual tourist trade of 5 million. We have more
than six officers here in Saskatoon. Not surprisingly, citizens
of Singapore pay on average about 7 percent income tax. Less
bureaucracy and more money. What a deal!
Canadians Are Not To Be Trusted
In Singapore passengers are not required to pass through customs.
With nothing to declare passengers merely walk through open gates.
Why are Singaporeans trusted more by their government than we are
by ours? If our own customs officers had more real work to do
they might be less apt to harass citizens. Paper pushing is a
departmental preoccupation. On the positive side, all this
nonsense does keep some people employed. But of course, at public
expense.
Government Officials Don't Give A Damn
Needs no explanation.
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