What forms of identification are accepted at businesses in Canada other than a driver's license?

Question

I have a friend who, for personal reasons, cannot get a driver's license. She has a health card, but most businesses won't accept it, claiming it is not a valid ID.

She also doesn't have a passport, but even if she did, I consider it ridiculous to carry your passport with you while you're walking around your own neighbourhood.

As for her birth certificate, it is too precious (and too hard to replace if lost) for her to carry with her.

Most businessess require a driver's license to be able to open an account (e.g. Blockbuster.) So my questions are:

1) What other forms of ID do businesses accept?

2) Is there such a thing as a non-driver's license? (If so, where do you get one?)

All she needs is a form of ID that will be accepted by both businesses and government institutions.

Answer 1

The Government use to issue an age of majority card when I was a teenager. You could get applications at the liquor store. At that time, they were considered an acceptable form of I.D. and they are Government issued. Not sure if they still exist but it may be worth a shot to find out.

Answer 2

Passport