sipfarms said:
I checked with Transport Dept in Australia and they said it is the norm for Canada. Ontario is only province that lets you keep both licences. Maybe they're worried that you can lose one licence and continue to drive on other licence. Not sure how you lose a licence in Canada though when speed signs seem to be there for decoration rather than enforcement. ;D
You were right, mate.
Turns out, if you do have a DL in another country (there is a list of them), and you don't want to start at the beginning again, you can renounce it (and trade for a Canadian one). We didn't go that way as my wife really didn't drive much in Moscow -- it's a deadly scary place to drive. If you are looking for a laugh, checkout the fail army videos on youtube ... the best one was 'ode to russia'. No wonder she is afraid to move a car...
As to your comment about our road decor, yeah you are right here. Almost everyone I know views speed limit signs as more of a guideline. In Ontario, as long as you don't get a fresh officer, you can typically get away with 20km/h over. Most won't even move their car for under that. The minimum penalty for speeding is $50 and no demerit points... For doing 30km/h over it's $295 and 3 demerit points. Of course, if the driver is brain dead and do 50km/h over they can seize your ride and your license on the road side, and issue a $10,000 fine. A drunk driving charge can also land you without a license. Or killing someone with a car. Or not paying child support. Or too many demerit points lost at a time. So, just like daily wine and beer drinking, in moderation speed is acceptable.