Incident at 40 Miles West of Saint John (CYSJ) (Communication navigation surveillance/air traffic system, ATS operating irregularity)

2010-09-27: Boston initiated a hand off on N2310W, Piper PA34 220T, enroute from Bangor (KBGR) to St. John?s (CYYT), climbing to 11,000 ft, at the common boundary west of Saint John (CYSJ). The Moncton Area Control Centre (ACC) had no flight data and obtained the basic information and then accepted the hand off. The controller was advised by Boston that the flight intended to land in Saint John. It was later determined that the flight was destined to St. John's. Approaching Saint John, the pilot requested clearance to climb to 15,000 ft. At this point it was apparent that the controller believed the flight was VFR. After some discussion an IFR clearance was issued as requested. There was no conflicting traffic.