Below are several vivid examples that have occurred among our compatriots:
1. A Canadian international student encountered a road rage incident, made a gesture, and shouted a few insults, which led to a police warning.
In China, let alone shouting a few words, even getting into an argument is something everyone is accustomed to and sees often; one would never imagine that such a "trivial matter" could rise to the level of a legal issue. However, in Canada, the police are known for "making a mountain out of a molehill" and following through on everything. Not to mention fighting, even a casual remark can result in a warning.
On a Canadian bus, a driver suspected a new immigrant's monthly pass was fake and confiscated it. The new immigrant reached out to retrieve the pass and inadvertently touched the driver's arm. This small action not only led to a police search but also resulted in being handcuffed and eventually taken to court.
This incident would be considered nothing in China. Such a light touch, whether intentional or accidental, would likely not be taken seriously by the driver, and even if both parties had engaged in a physical altercation, it might only be handled or mediated as a minor public security case. However, in Canada, this is treated as a criminal case simply because physical contact occurred. Once it becomes a criminal case, one is inevitably searched by police and handcuffed to court, requiring a lawyer to handle the related matters. Even if eventually acquitted, the criminal record, including fingerprints taken at the time, cannot be cleared immediately and requires a year to be expunged. Therefore, when studying in Canada, do not habitually use the lifestyle habits we are accustomed to; remember to do as the locals do.
2. A Canadian international student took a step forward while being inspected by police, which led to being subdued by the officers.
When we encounter police inspections abroad, it is best not to make any movements other than those prompted by the police, as it is very easy for them to mistake such actions for an attempt to assault an officer, leading to being "subdued."
These three examples all occurred because the individuals involved were unfamiliar with Canadian law and acted based on instinct or by following methods used in China, never expecting to cause so much trouble.
The breadth and detail of Canadian law are staggering, and the severity of the penalties is beyond our imagination. Taking a few thumbtacks from a client can lead to a tarnished reputation or even affect one's business; getting into a verbal altercation with a store clerk not only incurs financial penalties but also results in a legal warning; even riding a bicycle without brakes on the road can lead to a fine of several hundred dollars; and even celebrating with friends in the wild can be restricted by police. The work of Canadian police and judges is extremely rigorous and leaves no room for personal sentiment.
People have found that these incidents of inadvertently breaking the law often happen to new immigrants or new international students. With reports from news media, we should also do a good job in providing relevant legal education for new immigrants and international students. As the saying goes, "a fall into a pit, a gain in your wit," we hope that such incidents will no longer happen to new immigrants and international students in Canada.
