Cross-border travel comes with its own set of assumptions, and Canadians know this better than anyone. Every time they head south, they hear the same jokes, the same questions, and the same strange beliefs about how life works on their side of the border. Most of it isn’t rude, just wildly inaccurate. So to clear the air a bit, here are nine myths Canadians wish Americans would finally retire.
1. Canada isn’t a frozen tundra – the climate swings wildly
Americans often imagine Canada as one endless snowfield, but the country runs on extremes. Vancouver barely sees snow and feels more like Seattle with a passport check. Toronto turns into beach weather by June, with heat that pushes people toward lakes and rooftop patios. The Prairies flip between brutal winters and scorching summers that surprise even locals. The truth is simple: Canada is huge, and weather depends on where you land. Canadians get tired of correcting visitors who show up in parkas in July or ask if schools close for snow in places that rarely see a flake.
2. French isn’t the default language outside Quebec
Americans hear “Canada is bilingual” and assume conversations at the airport will sound like Paris. In reality, most Canadians speak English daily. Quebec is proudly French, New Brunswick has pockets of bilingual communities, and Ontario has a few French-heavy towns. Everywhere else? English rules day-to-day life. The myth hangs on because Canada presents itself as officially bilingual, but most Canadians will tell you their French is limited to menus, cereal boxes, and the occasional airport announcement. Visitors who try out a Bonjour in Vancouver are charming, but usually way off target.
3. Wildlife doesn’t roam urban streets like a nature documentary
The “moose walking by a Walmart” joke has been around forever, and Canadians wish it would retire. Moose, bears, and wolves live farther out where forests and parks stretch for miles. City dwellers mostly see raccoons raiding trash bins, geese taking over sidewalks, and the odd deer in suburban neighborhoods. Canadians love their wildlife, but they also know that seeing a moose is rare enough to make the news. The myth likely sticks because Canada brands itself around nature, but most of that nature lives hours outside major cities.
4. Canadian taxes aren’t universally higher – they’re structured differently
Many Americans cross the border expecting sticker shock and assume Canadians hand over half their paychecks. What surprises them is how uneven the picture really is. Healthcare is publicly funded, but groceries, gas, housing, travel, and other everyday costs vary widely by province. Some things are cheaper than expected, others more expensive, and Canadians navigate the tradeoffs like anyone else. Taxes fund different priorities, healthcare, maternity leave, education, but they are not the financial horror story many visitors imagine. Canadians often sigh when explaining that “high taxes” isn’t the whole story.
5. Not everyone says “eh,” and it’s not a punchline
Americans love the stereotype, and Canadians are pretty done with it. Yes, “eh” exists, but it’s not sprinkled into every sentence like a seasoning. It’s more of a soft conversational check-in, the way some Americans say “right?” or “you know?” Visitors often exaggerate it or mock it, which gets old fast. Most Canadians barely notice when they use it, and many never use it at all. The myth survives because it’s easy, not because it’s true.
6. Canadians aren’t automatically polite – they’re just predictable
The “Canada equals friendly” myth is half-true at best. Canadians tend to default to courtesy in public spaces, but that doesn’t mean everyone is soft-spoken or endlessly patient. Anyone who has taken Toronto’s rush-hour transit knows politeness fades quickly. Canadians simply follow social rules Americans sometimes don’t expect: line up, wait your turn, apologize to keep the peace. It’s not saintly behavior; it’s cultural rhythm. Visitors mistake it for exceptional kindness, but Canadians see it as basic social maintenance.
7. Healthcare isn’t free, instant, or magical
Americans often believe Canadians stroll into clinics, get treated immediately, and never see a bill. The reality is more nuanced. Yes, essential care is covered, but wait times vary and dental, vision, and prescriptions aren’t automatically free. Canadians pay for those like anyone else unless they have employer benefits. Travel insurance is still important, even within Canada, because out-of-province coverage has limits. The healthcare system is a point of pride, but it’s not a fairy tale, and Canadians wish Americans would stop treating it like one.
8. Every province feels like a different country
One thing Americans tend to overlook is how varied Canada feels once you start traveling through it. British Columbia lives on mountain time and ocean energy. Alberta leans western and wide open. Ontario mixes city pace with cottage-country calm. Quebec feels like a parallel universe with its own language, culture, and rhythm. The Maritimes run on hospitality and coastal quiet. Canadians laugh when Americans assume the whole country has one vibe. The differences are big enough that a Canadian road trip can feel like crossing borders without showing a passport.
9. Canadians aren’t constantly crossing the border just to shop in the U.S.
Sure, it happens in places like Niagara Falls or Detroit, but the idea that Canadians spend every weekend hunting for U.S. deals is mostly a myth. Plenty of Canadians actually prefer their own stores, their own brands, and the peace of mind that comes with staying within their healthcare system. Cross-border bargain runs do exist, but they’re more of a regional habit than a national obsession.
