You are allowed to ask for SIN and Driver`s License. In accordance to the Law and as far as the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, there is no legislation that prohibits organizations from asking for it. However, people are becoming more saavy and asking why (which is anyone`s right to do and what purpose) because unfortunately there`s so much fraud being committed and legally, yes they can refuse.
Here`s a really great "fact sheet" from The
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) that sets out ground rules for how private sector organizations may collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. Good reference tool for future.
http://www.privcom.gc.ca/fs-fi/02_05_d_02_e.asp
OFF TOPIC but similarly related on the ID front...., (in case you didn`t know)...now as a REALTOR, we now have to ask everyone for proof of ID whether buying or selling. Reason being, there are specific regulations for the real estate sector imposed now for anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing took effect on June 23rd, 2008. Here`s a PDF outlining why and what we do with the personal information:
http://www.crea.ca/public/news_stats/pdfs/...newsrelease.pdf