JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Industry Message Forum Canada is opening up a bit

https://www.futureofmusic.org/blog/...rk-permit-requirements-touring-musicians

I live near the border. I tried a couple of times to get an answer to the fee. Their agents in customs seemed confused by the question and gave me a couple different fees. To avoid any problems we quit going over the border.

Great news, Rick:

No fees mean more profit for musical performers. Glad to see Canada realize the benefit to all concerned.

Break a leg... as they say in show-biz.

---Dave

I don't know about this stuff because I don't perform. But I thought Canadians performers had to also pay or have a green card or something to perform in the US.

I don't know about this stuff because I don't perform. But I thought Canadians performers had to also pay or have a green card or something to perform in the US.

No they don't. It is only American Citizens going to Canada. There is also protectionist policies against how much American product can come into Canada. US Musicians are treated pretty unfairly going up there. They are pulled off into "the room", given interregations, where they are going, what they are doing, where they are performing, how much money they are making, why are they coming into Canada to begin with. Even when working with charities. And work permits have to be purchased.

If the same attention was given to Canadian athorities as are given to Amercian athourities, there would be a LOT more bad press on News networks. It's pretty aggravating, degrading, and insulting. And a part of the reason some of us don't go to Canada anymore.

MAB

It's been a while but I knew a young man that was in a band that was doing shows in Europe. Before they could do anything, they had to qualify according to him. He was from the U.S. Also he exclaimed the that music business didn't pay too well when touring. Nothing new tho.

I dunno. I think you'd understand why we do this better if you understood our POV. US is the dominant culture in the western world. It's almost suffocating how much American content we get. A good chunk of our news is even American news. Try living next to the most dominant country in the world and at the same time keeping your national identity. It's very hard.

It's also not a one way street. We often get bullied and strong armed politically. We were gonna decriminalize marijuana in the early 2000's but the Bush administration said they'd search every Canadian car at the border for pot so that was nixed. What else can you do when the most dominant country in the world is next door? Not much unless you want to ruin your economy in the process.

Humm Aaron,
Have you heard that old saying: IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, JOIN 'EM! The people in the U.S. have no interest in dictating to Canada of how they should act. If we did, the "Invasion" would have happened eons ago! So relax and enjoy life! And smile, it's later than you think!

The US government dictates the policies of many countries. The American public haven't a clue. Did you even know the US had been giving intel and weapons and free passage to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico during Bush and Obamas administration? US interference in many countries is evident. All you have to do is search for it. Who needs to invade with a military when you can destablize other ways?

Aaron,

you are for leagalizing all drugs. Do you have ANY idea the problems that creates with the BEHAVIOR of people? I've been around these people my entire life. Particularly with pot. And yes, I've done more than my share of drugs. I won't go into my own use, but I have also seen more destructive behavior on drugs than anything else in life. Anything that takes away your responsibility, your ethics, your common sense, is never a good idea. We have enough problems with alcohol and prescription drugs. You want to pour gasoline on a forrest fire.

And if you have been watching any of the riots going on in Baltimore or other places, about 90% of that has nothing to do with making a statement, or being pissed off about the police. About 90% are people rioting, robbing, attacking burning are totally about "wilding, gangs, drug thugs, all underlined by paid agitators from other areas. Much much driven by drugs.

That is what you are getting in nearly every community that is legallizing drugs. DUI's (Driving under the influence) is increasing by leaps and bounds. Legalize anything and it just increases that.

Like everything it works well in a vacum. Not so well in real life.

MAB

I don't agree with legalizing drugs, I don't agree with alcohol abuse either, most people are sensible in their use of alcohol, but you have a percentage that are not, and they cause havoc on society, add drugs to the mix, where will it be safe to live.

If you legalize it then the government can make money and people won't be afraid to seek help because they won't be arrested. The drug cartels and gangs lose business. There's all kinds of good things that can happen if drugs are legalized. It doesn't mean more people are going to do drugs. Marijuana is good for relieving chronic pain yet it's this evil drug. Whatever. Tide is turning. Good.

Marijuana is a weed, weeds grow easily even on their own, if it is legalized people will be growing it for their own use and selling it to friends and others instead of buying it from legal outlets, because governments will tax it like tobacco, making it expensive. If you have a medical use for marijuana you can get it now legally. Why do people have to be high all the time? People drive when high on liquor and they will do the same with drugs, but as of now there is no way to test for a drug high, so that will become the high of choice.

Marijuana is a weed, weeds grow easily even on their own, if it is legalized people will be growing it for their own use and selling it to friends and others instead of buying it from legal outlets, because governments will tax it like tobacco, making it expensive. If you have a medical use for marijuana you can get it now legally. Why do people have to be high all the time? People drive when high on liquor and they will do the same with drugs, but as of now there is no way to test for a drug high, so that will become the high of choice.

Regarding crossing borders..... I know a young Canadian singer-songwriter who was not allowed to perform in the UK without a work visa. He was given 24 hrs to leave. A year later he was going into the USA to a festival in Texas as a volunteer worker, to network and to jam.(hence guitar in hand). He was not on the bill. He was stopped when his passport came up and was told to go home.

He was given a grace period and since has been allowed into the USA.
Complex stuff....

http://www.cfmusicians.org/uploads/file/FA%20Info%20Sheet%202015(1).pdf

SUMMARY USA into Canada

Work Visa required if for more than 2 weeks,(max 3 months)
not required less than 2 weeks.

http://www.cfmusicians.org/services/work-permits#CrossingtheBorder

Key info....Canada into USA.

Canadians who are invited to showcase in the United States may not require a P2 visa/work permit and may qualify for a Business Class Visitor Visa instead (B-1 Visa).
You can Download the B1 (Showcase) Application Packet

Canadian Musicians Now Subject to 30% Tax Withholding

Musicians should be aware that the US Internal Revenue Code Section 1441 requires 30% of projected GROSS income for non-resident alien athletes and entertainers be withheld at the source and deposited for these performers in the U.S. Treasury. Members can avoid over withholding by the US Government by contacting cwamanagement.com. Here you can get more information about Central Withholding Agreements.

After the 9/11 disaster, border crossings are closely monitored. Good thing.

Only border crossings across Canada are closely monitored.. you know where people OBEY the law for the most part. On the Mexican border, however, you can come on in, become a citizen (well, even better, you can get a big old fat "earned income" tax check refund and be allowed to stay as long as you like, with some other "stuff" you'll need to do later to become a citizen until Hilary or whoever says "it's unfair to make them pay taxes without representation... our country was founded on that principle" and she makes them all voting citizens en masse to win permanent votes.

But keep those evil Canadians out of the USA.. they might come here and obey the laws and assimilate to be Americans since there's a paper thin difference between us already. Heck, most of our uneducated masses probably thinks Canada is just another US State anyway.

Eh?

C...EH?....N...EH?.....D,,,,,EH?

Yes b'y,no b'y.

Bryan, what does your little political diatribe have to do with musicians crossing borders?

EVERY country sets up barriers to protect their own. Aaron is right there. We protect our culture by ensuring we can foster local musicians, film makers etc because the US is a huge exporter of culture. If you look at your own trade figures, you'll see one of the largest export categories is your TV, movies, and music.

So in order to foster our own industry and grow our own talent, we ensure they get to stand first in line for certain things.

The US is exactly the same...you set up your own trade barriers. Some are more ingenious than others. labelling laws, point of origin laws, Made In America laws...

So don't B*)(*tch when it happens to you. Either do what it takes (we are very welcoming) or stay home. Your choice.

Sometimes I wonder which country I live in. I was just watching CBC news and te first thing they talked about was Hilary Clintons emails. Slow news days in Canada I guess.

Hillary Clinton and the entire Clinton cabal are quite possibly the most corrupt politicians in history. Many of the back door deals they have made will effect everyone including Canadians. Best to find out now, and there is plenty to find out about. They have been doing it their entire careers. So you will probably be seeing a lot more of it.

MAB

Marc we "have been" with the Clintons since Arkansas. You have to understand the magnitude of the influence the US has on us to appreciate our "CanCon" laws.

First off, there is the mouse sleeping next to the elephant simile we use in talking about the US, AND economically, we say when the US coughs, we get a bad cold.

I live in Toronto and have not had cable television for decades. Between what comes off our CN tower, and our proximity to Buffalo, and using a digital TV aerial I get

NBC (3 subchannels)
CBS,
ABC (3 sub channels)
WNED (a PBS station streaming 2 sub channels)
The CW (2 sub channels)
Fox (3 sub channels)
Get TV (2 sub channels)
and 6 US religious program stations

For a total of 22 US channels

Plus these Canadian channels
CBC (our national broadcaster)
CTV (another Canadian network),
CHCH (a Canadian independent) ,
TVO (an Ontario equivalent to PBS),
CBC again, but on French) then about
Global TV (another Canadian network
Omni (Toronto based multicultural programming
CITY TV (A Toronto station)

For a total of 8 Canadian channels

22 out of 30 TV channeles are US based!. Plus CTV, Global and CITY are big buyers of US programs, and CHCH buys a lot of US movies

Now if I had cable, I just get more of the same in terms of US programming, but I would also add a lot of Canadian sports.

The point?

We are absolutely deluged by US news, culture etc. We simply cannot escape it.

And I have not even addressed US impact on our newspapers and radio...just know it is a similar landscape in terms of content

So going back to Hillary, presidential elections and campaigns are big news items here...as are all important US news stories.

This is why we as Canadians are very well informed about the US...your politics, current events etc, and why we feel we are quite capable of chiming in to any political debate here. We add the perspective of balance because we cannot vote. So we are neither Democrat nor Republican...we are simply objective, well informed Canadians.

Now we could have another great discussion about all those Canadians active in your media, from musicians to actors to news people...who are part of this deluge aimed back at us...but that is a whole other kettle of fish

I'm glad I can't vote in US elections because there's no one I could vote for. I'm too far left which isn't really that far left in Canadian standards but in American standards I'd be off the chart I am sure. I'm NDP all the way and I'll be voting NDP in our coming election this October!

Aaron you poor misguided fool

Whazzat?
Sure you could find someone here to vote for. We have Liberal's, Progressives, (Former Liberal's), some Democrats, and not too bright Communist's. I'm sure some can get on the Ballot! And you really don't have to be too bright! If somebody tells you are going to get free health care, food stamps, housing assistance, free phone, and if you are illegal, no deportation! And to top that off at least a check for $25,000.00 from Uncle Sam! And instate tutition!

Just to show you what Canadians need to play a gig in the USA

http://www.songwriters.ca/Article/138/details.aspx

John, that is a lot more succinct than the paper hoops the US side folks have to jump through to play in Canada. Its also almost a voluntary thing if you apply through the AFM to play in the US for scale. You would need to make triple scale or more to make a profit playing in Canada with the current licensing fees etc.

On a brighter note, I live 47 miles, as the crow flies, from Toronto (SSE). I listen to 107 FM on occasion just because it's refreshing to hear new good music we don't get on our stations.