Stevens and Canada lanes freight.

If you have Canada clearance and a passport, you can go almost as much as you want. Stevens is always short drivers for Canada. Most drivers have 'incidents' in their past that preclude them from crossing...such as child support, misdemeanor arrests, drug issues or domestic violence arrests (not convictions...just arrests).
If you take time to get to know the dispatchers, you can generally pick your area. I run the west mostly, but venture east when I'm feeling suicidal.

 

I was always more comfortable out west, but that's because I ran that area so much and know it like the back of my hand.
Boston, Philly, Jersey, etc...no different than LA or the Bay area for traffic. Streets are a bit more narrow, but after a bit, you don't care.
We have some guys that do very well on the eastern seaboard. We have one driver that hails from Brooklyn. He runs loads in all the time, then comes back and grabs a repower from the Vince Lombardi and heads back over.
He likes that extra spiff we pay to go into the city, and he's very comfortable.
He's been driving for us less than a year.

 

You can apply to be allowed entry. It just takes time and a little research to get through the process.
http://www.canadasborder.com/Rehabilitation.htm

 

Is it forced dispatch to Canada? Is it required that you have a pass port or necessary clearances? Personally, I would rather run anywhere in the USA but do not want to leave this country for anything, if possible. Dont want canada, and especially Mexico (I dont believe Mexico is a problem).

 

No force dispatch to Canada. (we don't do Mexico)
There is plenty of opportunity for drivers that will (and can) go to Canada.
Tonight I was not able to give a 2200 mile trip that ends in Vancouver BC. We do that trip nearly every week.
There are 9 loads waiting to cross at Windsor that need Canada drivers.
So there is an opportunity for Canada drivers.

 

I've considered Canada... Do we run to places where French is a problem? I already have to deal with a Spanish (or worse, Spanglish) language barrier...
And what about the metric system? Is that much of a pain? I know we have km/h on our speedos, but what about clearance signs?
I keep picking up these loads in Laredo going to Ontario. I could use those miles (and the kilometres would be nice too)...

 

I am comfortable with metric so I can't speak to that issue. However, there are certain numbers you just keep in mind: 90kph is 55mph, 100kph is 62mph. As long as you have 4.2m clearance, you're fine.
French? No, signs are largely in both languages, but then I get around spanglish, Italian and even some english , so figuring out french isn't hard for me.
I found French speaking Canada to be very polite, friendly and pleasant. As long as you have the attitude that you are a guest in THEIR country, I find the Canadians are very polite and friendly.
The stories of rude people that didn't speak english are overblown.
I once sat at a truck stop counter and watched a driver berate Canada, the signs and everything he could think of. The waitress spoke no english to him and made him struggle to order until he gave up and walked out. She then stepped over to me. Knowing she didn't speak english, I tried Italian. She responded in perfect english, "I don't speak Spanish, but I'll try and find someone who does. Un moment."
I loved running Canada and would have joined the dedicated fleet except I don't like the winters.