Crossing the border? Be sure your flight plan is open!

It has recently been reported that many Canadian pilots flying back to Canada from the USA are arriving without flight plans. There have been more than two dozen investigations in the last few months. This naturally attracts attention!
In most cases it seems that the pilots are filing a flight plan with US FSS by phone, taking off, confirming the flight plan is open and then crossing the border.
Upon landing the Canadian ATC facility asks them why they are not on a flight plan. It looks like in most cases even though the flight plan is requested by the pilot to be opened, it isn’t happening.
In some cases Canadian pilots don’t realize that US ATC will not open flight plans – south of the border only FSS will open and close flight plans. In most cases if you ask ATC to open a flight plan they will direct you to call FSS, but in some cases they will just ignore the request and the flight plan will stay unopened.
There are two problems with flying into Canada without a flight plan. The practical issue of course, is if you don’t make it to the destination, no one will come looking for you. It is also a violation of CAR 602.73 (4) and will attract an investigation from TC.
In light of the fact that some flight plans initiated in the US are not getting opened, it would be prudent when first contacting Canadian ATC or FSS to confirm that the flight plan is open and running. If not, then air-file one to make sure you have SAR response for the rest of the trip.