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The rapper Drake routinely brags in rap lyrics about his ability to get people convicted of crimes (such as a DUI) through Canadian customs.

From Genius, we can see three examples.

[Gucci Mane] I got so many felonies, I might can't never go to Canada But Drake said he gon' pull some strings, so let me check my calendar

[Drake] Luckily, I’m the greatest my country’s ever seen So chances are I get the border to issue me clearance

[Drake] Your girl got a DUI, I’ll make the calls to get y'all through customs Tell your best friend, “Girl get your paperwork right”

Are there documented cases of a celebrity convincing Canadian authorities to let a criminal through the border?

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    Not even a head of a state could convince Canadian authorities to bypass the law. It doesn't work that way. The very charter starts with " Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law". Emphasis mine.
    – user4188
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:04
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    @chx I guess GW Bush got a special waiver for his 1976 criminal DUI conviction
    – Spehro Pefhany
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 16:09
  • @chx So much for theory. In practice there's obviously a great deal more pragmatism going on.
    – Voo
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 20:42
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    Heads of states themselves have diplomatic passports and as such different law applies to them. What I was trying to say: they can't make people who don't have such get a pass.
    – user4188
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 21:51
  • 3
    This question may be suited to Skeptics.
    – phoog
    Commented May 5, 2017 at 23:45

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While it's highly unlikely CBSA gives one whit about Drake or what he says he can do, yes, it is possible to enter Canada with a criminal history.

Overcome criminal convictions

You have to apply for a Visa (get it approved), qualify for a waiver (get that approved), then convince CBSA at the border to admit you.

Season 1, Episode 2 of Border Security Canada features actor Cory Feldman being admitted to Canada. He had to go through secondary due to his criminal history.

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    This question doesn't clarify the powers held by the rapper Drake, but I guess it sufficiently answers the broader topic.
    – James Mishra
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 3:44

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