"Some might prefer Canada or the US, but it would likely be generally equivalent. In those cases, I guess I don't see the reason why controls are still strict"
Well, are they? Border control at US/Canada seems to be more for everybody else rather than Canadians/Americans.
Most people are 'waved' through. Except for the need of a work permit, I'd say it's pretty non existent.
Depends on the side... when crossing into the US (as a Canadian) everyone in my car was taken separately into a tiny room and grilled by an agent, and our car was searched extensively. The whole process took about 3-4 hours, all of us had clean criminal records and were just passing into the US for a day to be tourists in Maine. On our way back the Canadian agent waved us through.
I've been through many airports' passport control and customs. I haven't had a major issue. With the Canadian/US border in NY. Thats another story. I've had to park to the side and go to a different area while the car got searched and they grilled me about everything I did during the weekend [US side]. The Canadian side was worried I'd steal all of their jobs during the weekend. This was all for a quick weekend trip to toronto.
Well, are they? Border control at US/Canada seems to be more for everybody else rather than Canadians/Americans.
Most people are 'waved' through. Except for the need of a work permit, I'd say it's pretty non existent.
Of course in the EU this is much better