PLeblond

IIRC correctly, to enter the US, even as a US citizen, by air now requires a passport. There was a big hoopla about this a few years ago.

I do not believe this applies to Canadian's (yet). Showing another for of ID is acceptable. In essence, the job of the immigration officer is to a) Identify you and b) determine weather you are admissible into Canada. As a citizen of Canada (and a permanent resident, I would guess) cannot be denied entry. Technically (those who remember driving across the border pre-2001) they are instances where they do not even need to ask for ID. If they cannot identify you, that is where the difficulty begins.

FlyerGoldII

I would like to ask anyone on this bulletin board when was the last time you displayed to an immigration officer (when returning by air) an i.d. that was not a passport (in the non-nexus lane), and were allowed entry into Canada.
This includes a nexus card, the enhanced ON driver's license, regular driver's license, provincial health card, or some other form of government-approved photo i.d.

Same question now if returning by car - when was the last time you showed a photo id that was not a passport, nexus card, enhanced driver's license. Note-I have gone by car in either direction to/from USA in the non-nexus lane (as other passengers were not nexus cardholders), and I could get away with showing my nexus card.

PLeblond

I haven't in years. Pre 2001 we would sometimes drive across (small) border crossings back into Canada simply by waving to the agent,

That being said, as a Canadian Citizen, you cannot be denied access into Canada regardless of what ID you have on you.

The question then becomes, if you do not have proper ID, how they will identify you? Probably longer questioning of address, DOB mother's maiden name, etc, etc. etc. and they would then check with their files. Maybe even call people you know to confirm your identity. Once they have identified you as 'you the Canadian Citizen', they cannot deny you access.

AA_EXP09

I would put SIN much higher on that list.

AA_EXP09

PR can be denied entry if they obtained PR through fraud or completed terrorism overseas.

AA_EXP09

In 1999 I had to present my passport and PR card upon entry into Canada. The only difference is that my passport was stamped and PR was written beneath my Canadian passport stamp.
(I am a Canadian citizen now so I cannot speak for today.)

rehoult

2005 and it was no problem. Haven't forgotten my passport since then so no chance to try again.

WRT to people suggesting the law could change so you have to show a passport at port of entry: it's not going to happen as it would be blatantly unconstitutional. Canadians have an absolute right to enter Canada. Full stop.

It's also worth nothing that it's not just like you pull out a photocopy and they have to let you in. They can ask you questions as part of that process (for instance, in my case, she asked me where and when I'd last entered the country, which is information they can easily verify). They can detain you while they ensure you are Canadian. They can do pretty much anything they want to confirm you are Canadian. What they CAN'T do is require that you have a specific piece of magic paper to enter.

canadiancow

I have a friend who recently had a family emergence in YVR two days after she sent her passport for renewal from SFO. She is Canadian, working on an H-1B. She used her NEXUS card in the regular lines at YVR in both directions, explaining the situation, and they let her in both countries without issue.

TravellingSalesman

Work permit is enough to get a Canadian driving licence (in fact you can't use your foreign one after three months).

moorw003

I'm a student and have a Canadian driving licence. When I tried to use it as ID to board a domestic plane, the gate agents scanned my boarding card and that flagged I wasn't Canadian, so they needed my passport.

Not a problem, I always carry it. But it seems the systems know who is a citizen and who is not.

TravellingSalesman

They asked for proof of citizenship on a domestic flight?

I have to say I never experienced that: so far using Canadian DL as a foreigner has always worked for me, ditto on any domestic flight in the US.

antirealist

Same here. I've lived in Canada for 23 years, I'm not a citizen, and I've always used my Canadian DL as photo ID for domestic flights in Canada and the US.

PLeblond

Thats weird. You don't have to a citizen to have a driver's licence. Its still a form of government ID. Were you eventually connecting to an international flight?

mkjr

and I actually would like to know as well and did not think about whose cock up it was until you pointed out it could have been joe blow YVR staff...[equally capable as AC employees of serious cock ups]