@Iloco and TomDart;

The Canadian passport restrictions were implemented as a result of PRESSURE from YOUR US government because of 911.....and, as a result of this, you will soon need a passport to board any flight anywhere nowadays....not just when entering a foreign country.

As an aside, in the past, all that Canadians needed to show when crossing into the US was a drivers licence or birth certificate.  As of 2008, the US requires that you need a valid passport......tit for tat....

In reality....it's no big deal....and it probably does improve safety.

Regarding past offences....it's very similar to what the US checks for upon entry....and some prior offences (such as drug) will disallow entry into the US.

As for the Canadian customs guys....yeah I'll agree, they make the KGB look nice....seems like they are just power trippers that enjoy sniffing through people's undies....

In youth, we learn....with age, we understand.