June 13, 2025

Can a Convicted Felon Enter Canada? Mario Bellissimo Weighs In for the Toronto Star

With the G7 summit approaching, many are asking whether U.S. President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, could be stopped at the Canadian border.

As Mario Bellissimo shared with the Toronto Star, the answer is legally complex. While a typical traveller with similar convictions might be found inadmissible under Canada’s immigration laws, factors such as Mr. Trump’s diplomatic status, the nature of his discharge, and Canada’s national interest all come into play.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), inadmissibility can hinge on equivalency assessments and the discretion of border officers — discretion that becomes especially relevant when international diplomacy is involved.

This situation highlights the critical importance of understanding Canada’s inadmissibility rules, and how they’re applied differently depending on the traveller’s profile, purpose of entry, and broader geopolitical context.

Read the full story in the Toronto Star here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/donald-trump-is-a-convicted-felon-could-he-be-stopped-from-entering-canada-for-the/article_b2f0745d-3716-4646-826d-ef0aca923675.html