It's actually not.
In Canada, here is the voter ID process:
- You must show a driver's license or non-driver government ID
- Oh you don't have one? You can show two of the following: health card, passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, social insurance card, Indian states card, Canadian Forces card, hospital card, medical clinic card, prescription pill bottle, hospital bracelet, blood donor card, blind person card, credit card, debit card, employee card, student card, bus pass, library card, liquor card, parole card, gun license, fishing license, utility bill, telephone bill, bank statement, credit card statement, credit union statement, personal cheque, pay cheque stub, pension plan statement, lease, mortgage, income tax assessment, property tax assessment, car ownership info, insurance card from any insurer, letter from your school, letter from your native band, letter from your soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
... and if you don't have one of those:
- You can STILL vote, you just need someone else with ID with you willing to sign a form.
So if you want to compare this to what is being proposed in the US, then feel free.
No you don't. You can register without a fixed address in advance, but separately if you fail to do so, you can register at the polls at the same time you vote. So you do not need to be registered in advance or receive the voter card to vote.