Et tu, Hanke?
They call it "applying for rehabilitation" - can be free, $200 or $1000, depending on severity of conviction(s) and length of time without one: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informatio ... 12ETOC.asp Talk about complicated: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informatio ... tation.asp
I'll use myself as an example. I have a single conviction from 1990 for DUI, fine paid & loss of license for 90 days (no damage involved). I learned an expensive lesson - if you've had ANYTHING to drink, don't offer to be the one to drive your buddy's car home for him. I didn't know it had a headlight out.
I can apply to be assessed by a visa office to be "deemed rehabilitated" by filling out a form and providing comprehensive documentation regarding the conviction - no fee involved. The process can take up to a year. If I choose not to do that, I can just show up at the border and hope they don't ask. I can also just show up, bringing all of this: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/f ... M5507E.pdf and ask for them to waive the $200 fee once (ever). If they refuse, I can pay their $200 processing fee or turn around and go home.
I'll probably just send in the form and forget about about it until my wife wants to go to Toronto for the first time.