I spoke to the SAAQ just now.
Tomorrow I was supposed to have an appointment to get my license changed from Ontario to Quebec. Just to be sure, I called them to check if I had the documentation they need to allow me to get a license. You may recall that it takes proof of residency in Quebec, proof of residency in Ontario and a passport to have your license transferred, and that I had everything but the proof in Ontario. Click the link as to why that was. Since then I have obtained new docs to hopefully prove that I was a resident in Ontario during the time I held a license there (which is what they told me, more on this later), namely tax records from 1995.
When I called the man asked me when I first got my license. That was 1991, I was a kid living at home with no bills to pay, nothing. My docs were no good because they were from 1995. He said that I had to prove that I was a resident of Ontario during the time that I held a driver's license from there. I took this to mean any time from 1991-2001, and from March 2003 to now. (My license expired in 2001 and I didn't renew it till 2003.) For some reason, he started saying that I had to have proof from 1991 that I was a resident of Ontario (never mind the fact that non-residents can't get licenses*).
So I start asking why this is the case, even though I was told by more than one person on more than one occasion that I needed proof from during the time that I held a driver's license from there, and nothing more specific than that. He goes away and asks me if I still have a valid license from there. I do. I had to renew it this year in order to have a license at all. he then said that I needed proof from the previous six months. No one ever mentioned the six months thing. And certainly no one mentioned that it had to be in 2002 or 203. In fact, they specifically said that I needed proof during the time that I held a driver's license from there.
Of course, no such information exists. I wasn't a resident of Ontario back then, and I haven't been for years.
Now you could say that it should have been a priority for me to get a Quebec driver's license 5-6 years ago when I became a resident of Quebec. Maybe you are right, but I didn't see the added value. All I needed it for was as a second piece of photo ID. It has served me well during all that time. The only time I have ever wanted to drive was when I was visiting my parents in Ontario. So getting a Quebec driver's license wasn't a big deal.
To be honest, it still isn't a huge deal. I still don't drive in Montreal, although I was thinking of doing so in the next couple of years (after I have paid off some debts) and maybe buying a car. You know, like adults do. I could drive Rose to work or something, and we could take rides out to the country. I could rent a car and do that now, but I would be taking a huge chance. If I get stopped, then the car is impounded for 30 days and I would have to pay for the rental during that time. That's $3000. I might as well buy a cheap used car. But then I face the same problem and...whatever.
I won't start all over again, like I'm 16. I won't do it. I will take my chances. This isn't about simple pride or spite. It is about personal dignity, and I feel as though I would be lowering myself by complying now, especially when I tried my damnedest to comply eighteen months ago, but they couldn't hear me.
* I called back and asked why the existence of a valid Ontario driver's license doesn't count as proof of residency in Ontario, since you have to be a resident to get one. Not only did no one know the answer, but no one knew anyone who did, nor did they know of any way I could contact someone who might know the answer, like someone in the Ministry of Transportation, or even the Minister of Transportation. Figures.
UPDATE: I saw a naked pregnant woman the other night.
Just thought I'd share that.
