Dottie, honestly, my recommendation is to have a passport when you go across the border.
The last couple of times I have used it as I.D., I had absolutely no problems. They run part of the passport through this interesting scanner (like swiping a credit card) device, and I guess they can pull up information on ME or anyone else for that matter.
Given recent events of the last couple of years, honestly Dottie, get a passport. Best I.D. and when I go to the USA, it's the best identification.
Apparently the scratch n' sniff feature of the Canadian passport smells like back bacon and beer. Imagine that, eh?