[Splines]

Air Canada's requirements specify that they require gov't issued ID, but they don't specify which gov't. Would a gate agent be able to identify and verify the authenticity of an arbitrary ID card from a distant country?

Probably not - I wouldn't expect them to, anyway.

[kalmar]

I experimented with this, and have flown within Canada with a foreign (non-US, non-European) driving license. There was no verification other than checking the name matched the boarding pass, if I remember correctly.

[leviathan]

Every time I visit Canada, I'm required to show my ticket and my passport (which is printed in both Arabic and English) when leaving.