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Can I get an Ontario ID card if I am living in Ontario before I am a Permanent Resident?

The short answer is YES. See https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card

And, if you have a driver's license, you must update it to an Ontario operator's permit if you remain in the province for more than 60 days. Depending on where you are from, that could be a simple exchange, or it could require a new test.
 
The short answer is YES. See https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-photo-card

And, if you have a driver's license, you must update it to an Ontario operator's permit if you remain in the province for more than 60 days. Depending on where you are from, that could be a simple exchange, or it could require a new test.

Okay great. So the situation is I moved from Michigan to be with my spouse in Ontario and file an inland spousal sponsorship. My wife and I tried to add me to the lease agreement, but were denied because I am not a permanent resident. So I was advised to get an Ontario ID, but when I went to get it, the woman at the service desk told me I need to be a Permanent resident to acquire the ID. I had a sneaking suspicion she just wasn't sure and turned me away.
 
Okay great. So the situation is I moved from Michigan to be with my spouse in Ontario and file an inland spousal sponsorship. My wife and I tried to add me to the lease agreement, but were denied because I am not a permanent resident. So I was advised to get an Ontario ID, but when I went to get it, the woman at the service desk told me I need to be a Permanent resident to acquire the ID. I had a sneaking suspicion she just wasn't sure and turned me away.

Well, you were misinformed in both cases. It's completely acceptable for a US citizen with no status in Canada to own or rent property. In fact, you will need a lease in both your names in order to apply for a PR.

Do you have a Michigan driver's license ? If so, you need only go to a driver test center and trade it in. It might take a few hours of sitting and waiting, but they know what to do. My partner got an Ontario license his first day in Ontario.
 
Well, you were misinformed in both cases. It's completely acceptable for a US citizen with no status in Canada to own or rent property. In fact, you will need a lease in both your names in order to apply for a PR.

Do you have a Michigan driver's license ? If so, you need only go to a driver test center and trade it in. It might take a few hours of sitting and waiting, but they know what to do. My partner got an Ontario license his first day in Ontario.
I don't think you "NEED" a lease in both of your names... Myself and my husband applied without a lease in both of our names. My credit sucks so we had to use my father and put the lease in his name. We used our joint bank account,bills, receipts and online purchases as proof.