Originally Posted by
pilotboy1985YYC
Ontario Health Card with Photo ID is considered valid Goverment Issued ID.
According to the website, you need Goverment Issued Photo ID and Birth Certificate. So it shouldn't be a problem.
On a side note.. In Nova Scotia is you need a Drivers License, or have lost your License, you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles and they issue you a new Drivers License on the spot. No waiting.... Doesn't Ontario have such a system?
Nope. They'll issue you a slip of paper with your license particulars to use until the plastic one arrives in the mail circa 2 weeks later. It was a shock to me coming from NB, where they're also done on the spot. (My mom was in the DMV and asked what the procedure was for me to get my class 7-2 upgraded to a 5, and they just made it up and handed it to her, without request or my consent, but I digress). My suspicion is because most (all?) Ontario DMVs are contracted out, they don't trust them with the ability to make licenses. Or that there are just so many, it's cheaper to make them in one central location and mail them out rather than operate and maintain n machines all over the province.
WRT the OP's question, the OP's sister's health card is expired, and therefore not valid. As well, using an Ontario health card as ID is, as I learned when I moved here, dicey at best. The school of thought seems to be that because it's linked to your health info, which should be private, nobody can accept it as proof of ID. Of course, Mexican border officials probably don't care.
OP, as another poster said, prepare passport paperwork tonight and contact your local passport office first thing tomorrow to plead your case for, though that may be tougher if she doesn't already have one. If they can't help, try the Passport Canada head office in Gatineau.
I'd also check your local liquor store and find out how long it takes to get an age of majority card made up (if sis is indeed of age). It's flimsy (and the LCBO may want to see even more ID than a Mexican border guard), but it is government issued. Any other photo ID you can get a hold of in time helps your case. Student/alumni ID, work ID, building access pass, Costco membership. The more you can give them to show your story is straight in case of conflict, the better.
EDIT: BYID cards are done by mail, so that's probably a dead end. Sorry, should have checked this sooner.
Finally, you could also try calling the Mexican consulate in Toronto or the consular section of the embassy in Ottawa and explaining your situation, but that may be a long shot.
Best of luck!