You cannot technically bring stony corals across the Canada/US border without a proper CITES. But as has been stated, it's fairly easy to do if you have an easy going border guard.
Anyone and their dog can get corals from the states into Canada. I'd actually be extremely surprised if people had issues doing so. I have also spoke directly with ORA and had received the same response as Dave.
You can bring soft corals across the border as long as they aren't affixed to live rock. So ordering zoanthids from the states is A-Ok. All hard corals fall under Appenix II in the CITES categories. This means they require CITES permits for import/export every single time they cross borders. Ron99, I believe ORA's main aquaculture facility is in Florida, so when corals ares shipped to their retailers in the USA, they don't include CITES information. This CITES information would be required for the retailer to apply for the re-export permit and then pass the ORA corals onto a Canadian retailer. You are hoping for productive discussion on import/export, and I think this is productive.
If this discussion keeps someone for unknowingly crossing borders with corals and getting charged under WAPPRIITA in Canada or the Lacey Act in the USA, then someone has been educated and this conversation has been successful. Just think about these people...
$615 Person fine for bringing stoney corals into Canada
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang...A-C6AD90C09899
over $1300 Store fined for bringing corals and clams into Canada
http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang...4-0EA275A259EA
I think Dave is trying to show people that they have to be aware of the consequences of buying corals. There are some major consequences if governing bodies decided to make an example of someone. Here is an expert of what could happen:
WAPPRIITA, brought into force by the Government of Canada in 1996, provides federal wildlife officers with an enforcement tool to pursue corporations or individuals who illegally import endangered animals and plants into Canada. Maximum penalties underWAPPRIITA for summary convictions are a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to six months in jail for individuals and up to a $50,000 fine for corporations. For indictable convictions, maximum penalties are a fine of up to $150,000 and/or up to five years in jail for individuals, and a fine of up to $300,000 for corporations.
Cheers,
Scott