Singer Rihanna’s tour bus was stopped at the Canadian border for the second time in one week this week, after drug-sniffing dogs found marijuana on one of the passengers. Rihanna was not on the bus at the time.
Many celebrities have trouble getting into Canada because of prior criminal records or even due to their publicly voiced opinions on different matters that don’t quite mesh with Canada’s policies. No matter how famous you are, you can be delayed at the border or denied entry to Canada if the border officials find that you have criminal or immigration law violations or are trying to bring prohibited items into Canada – like say, drugs. 
Rihanna blasts customs officials for doing their jobs
According to several different media outlets and some people who were in the audience at her Winnipeg concert, which started 90 minutes late due to the delay, Rihanna shouted “F— customs!” at the audience.
It’s usually pretty well known that you can’t bring drugs across the border. In fact, there are many different things that will not only delay you at the US-Canada border but prevent you from entering the country all together.
In addition, border delays at the US-Canada border crossings are expected to double as the recent United States budget cuts will result in staff cuts and layoffs – so it’s not going to get any easier for anyone, no matter how famous, to get across the border into Canada.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
