Do you know the differences between America and Canada? Well, that sounds like the opening line of a joke. The differences between America and Canada will certainly be of interest to you if you are a native of either country but others might be fascinated too – I am! Here’s my list of 20 differences between America and Canada.
Snapshot Survey
Snapshot Survey
1. Geography
How America and Canada differ in their governmental land boundaries is that Canada has territories and provinces and America has states. Canadians have the tundra, Americans have some desert. They both lack vegetation, but there is one major difference though, the tundra has an abundance of frozen water and the desert has a major lack of water.
Canada also has a larger landmass, with an area of 9.98 million square kilometers compared to the United States' 9.83 million square kilometers. Canada also has a larger population, with 37.59 million people compared to the United States' 327.2 million. In terms of natural resources, Canada has a larger supply of oil, natural gas, and hydropower. The US, however, has a larger supply of coal and uranium. Canada's climate is more temperate than the US, with more snowfall in the winter and warmer temperatures in the summer. The US has a more diverse landscape, with more mountains, deserts, and forests. Canada also has more lakes than the US, containing about 6.5% of the world's fresh water.
2. Currency
Each country has its own version of the dollar. The Canadians still use their 2 dollar bill. They call their single bills loonies and their 2 dollar bills toonies. They have major affection for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, for some unknown reason. If I need to explain that joke, then you just need to move on.
Canada also has its own versions of coins, including the 25 cent piece which is known as a “quarter”. The 5 cent piece is known as a “nickel” and the 10 cent piece is known as a “dime”. Canada also has a 1 cent piece, which is known as a “penny”. The Canadian dollar is worth slightly less than the American dollar, and is accepted in some parts of the United States. The Canadian dollar is also accepted in some Caribbean countries, such as Jamaica.
Frequently asked questions
3. Head of Government
Canadians maintain the same system as the British Government, while the Americans created a Republic with a president as the leader of the country instead of a Prime Minister. Canadians like their Queen, Americans like the band Queen. This is one of the many ways that Canadians and Americans differ.
In Canada, the Prime Minister is the head of the government and is elected by the citizens of the country. The Prime Minister is the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons and is responsible for leading the federal government. In the United States, the President is the head of the government and is elected by the citizens of the country. The President is the leader of the country and is responsible for leading the federal government. Both the Prime Minister and the President have the power to appoint cabinet members and sign laws. Both countries also have a Supreme Court, which is responsible for interpreting the laws and protecting the rights of citizens.
4. General Demeanor
Americans view Canadians as pushovers and being polite to a fault. The Canadians view Americans as rude and overly impolite. The difference between the US and Canada is that when traveling abroad the Canadians are proud to show where they are from and are not knocked for it, while Americans are warned to not look “American” for fear of retribution in other countries. This says all that needs to be said about the way each country’s demeanor is perceived around the rest of the world.
Americans and Canadians have different views on general demeanor. Americans view Canadians as too polite and pushovers, while Canadians view Americans as rude and impolite. This difference is seen in the way each country is perceived when traveling abroad. Canadians are proud to show where they are from and are not criticized for it, while Americans are warned to not look “American” for fear of retribution in other countries.
Americans and Canadians also have different views on politeness. Canadians are known for being polite and apologetic, while Americans are known for being more direct and straightforward. Canadians tend to be more formal and polite in their conversations, while Americans are more informal and casual.
Americans and Canadians also have different views on cultural norms. Canadians are more accepting of diversity and multiculturalism, while Americans tend to be more conservative and traditional. Canadians are more likely to accept and embrace different cultures, while Americans are more likely to stick to their own.
Americans and Canadians also have different views on the use of language. Canadians are more likely to use British English, while Americans are more likely to use American English. Canadians tend to be more formal in their language, while Americans are more informal.
5. Alphabet
Z and U are generally the letters that comes under fire when thinking of the language differences between America and Canada. Americans say zee and Canadians say zed. Then, in Canada, the U comes into play that shows up in weird places in words like flavour, colour, and labour because the UK spelling convention is used. The Americans however tend to shorten words instead of lengthen them. They make words like going into gonna and so forth.
6. Law Enforcement
Mounties have long been the subject of American joke staples when talking about Canada. Most Americans seem to have no idea that Canadian police do not always wear the red coats and ride horses, as they do in the old Dudley Do-Right cartoons.
When it comes to law enforcement in Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are the primary national police force. The RCMP is responsible for enforcing federal laws, while provincial and municipal police forces are responsible for enforcing provincial and municipal laws.
The RCMP is known for its iconic red serge uniforms, which are worn on special occasions such as the Musical Ride and other ceremonial events. However, on a daily basis, RCMP officers wear a more practical uniform of navy blue pants and a navy blue shirt.
The RCMP also has a number of specialized divisions, including the Emergency Response Team, the Underwater Recovery Team, and the Police Dog Service. These specialized divisions are responsible for responding to emergency situations, conducting search and rescue operations, and providing support to other law enforcement agencies.
In addition to the RCMP, Canada also has a number of other law enforcement agencies. These include the Canada Border Services Agency, which is responsible for border security, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, which is responsible for protecting Canada's national security.
Overall, while the RCMP may be a source of comedic relief for Americans, it is still a highly respected law enforcement agency that is responsible for maintaining law and order in Canada.
7. Health Care
The Canadians have universal healthcare while the Americans still have half of their citizenship devoted to helping the “capitalist” failing system stay in place. If you want to see evidence of why this does not work, just look at the life expectancy section.
8. Size of Citizens
Both countries have a weight problem, Americans a little more so. How Canada and America differ is that Americans are definitely regarded as being overweight, with the creation of fast food and the ‘Golden Arches’ being in the United States.
The size of citizens in both countries has become an increasing concern. In the United States, two-thirds of adults are considered overweight or obese, while in Canada, the figure is just over half. The US is also home to some of the world's most popular fast food chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King, and KFC, which have contributed to the nation's weight problem.
In Canada, the food industry is not as prominent, and the nation is home to fewer fast food restaurants. However, the country has seen a rise in the number of Canadians who are overweight or obese in recent years, with the rate of obesity in Canada now higher than it was in the US in 1980.
In both countries, public health initiatives have been implemented to address the issue of obesity. The US has implemented the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which aims to improve the quality of food served in schools, while in Canada, the government has launched the Healthy Eating Strategy, which promotes the consumption of healthy foods.
9. Size Vs. Population
The land mass of Canada is 3,855,103 square miles. The total land area of America is 3,794,083 square miles, making Canada slightly larger. According to the United States Census, there are 307,212,123 American citizens and 33,487,208 Canadian citizens. The disparity in land to population leads to a lot of land leftover for the Canadians, and some crowded Americans.
10. Birth Rate
On average, 13.8 babies are born per 1000 Americans, while 10.3 babies are born per 1000 Canadians. The rate of Americans being born to Canadians is significantly higher. The difference between Americans and Canadians is that when it’s cold the Canadians go hunting while the Americans lock their doors and well, let’s just say they do not hibernate all winter long.
11. Migrancy Rate
What is interesting to me is that the Immigration rate of Canada is over 20% higher than America. The difference is that Americans have an indoctrinated view that the immigrants are taking all the jobs away.
12. Life Expectancy
If every American knew the life expectancy rates of Canadians, they would rethink their stance on universal healthcare. The rate is 78.1 for Americans and 81.2 for Canadians; the difference is not a few months, but a few years. Maybe Americans don’t want to live longer when they realize their Social Security won’t be there anyways. Canada is the winner in the life expectancy war of Canadians vs. Americans.
13. Pronunciation
If you have heard an American imitating a Canadian accent then, the word “ey” and “aboot” constantly features as that is how they think Canadians speak. America has a massive range of accents compared to Canada and there are also many more uses of regional slang.
However, this stereotype doesn't fully represent the Canadian linguistic tapestry. While the infamous "eh" is indeed a staple up north, there's so much more nuance to be found. Moreover, the pronunciation of "about" as "aboot" is largely exaggerated; most Canadians pronounce it much like their American counterparts. The distinct Canadian raising is more subtle and varies across the country. In true Canadian fashion, regional dialects also have a delightful array of terms like "chesterfield" for a sofa, or "toque" for a knitted hat, adding charming local flavors to the language.
14. Music Celebrities
Canadians are proud of their musical celebrities although by many Americans and indeed the rest of the world, they are considered somewhat cheesy – a la Justin Bieber, Bryan Adams, Michael Buble, Celine Dion … enough said. Americans do not care where the artist is from unless you count the East Coast West Coast rap feud of the 1990s.
While the gentle ribbing about pop icons may be all in good fun, it's hard to deny the massive influence Canadian musicians have on the global stage. From Drake shaping modern hip-hop to the indie charm of Arcade Fire, our northern neighbors have a knack for producing chart-toppers. Yes, there might be eye-rolls at the mention of Nickelback, but for every teasing nudge, there's a heartfelt sing-along to a Shania Twain classic. It's a love-hate relationship with these tunes – secretly adored, publicly ridiculed, but ultimately, impossible to ignore.
15. Inventions
Alexander Graham Bell is a Scotsman who became a naturalized Canadian and invented the telephone; Gideon Sundback invented the zipper, Hugh LeCaine invented the music synthesizer, and the wonderful game of basketball was created by James Naismith. How Americans and Canadians differ is that Americans excel at using these inventions to create multi-billion dollar industries.
Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone not only revolutionized communication but paved the way for countless American corporations like AT&T to thrive globally. Similarly, the ubiquitous zipper, thanks to Gideon Sundback, has zipped its way onto the world stage through American fashion giants. Hugh LeCaine’s music synthesizer, while a boon to musicians everywhere, allowed American music producers to dominate the charts with synthesized pop. And while James Naismith may have envisioned basketball as a simple game, the NBA transformed it into an international phenomenon, showcasing the American knack for turning creative inventions into cultural and economic powerhouses.
16. Toques
Toque is a word that Canadians use for winter hat. If Americans know about toques or for that fact anything about Canada, their most likely source was the satirical comedian commentary movies. The Americans call toques, beanies or hats.
Actually, the term toque (pronounced too-k) has a distinctly charming ring to it, especially when uttered in the context of the Canadian winter experience. Imagine strolling down a snowy street in Montreal or ice skating in Ottawa, your head cozily ensconced in a soft knitted toque, perhaps emblazoned with your favorite hockey team's emblem. Fashion-forward and functional, these toques not only serve to ward off the biting cold but often reflect a piece of the wearer’s personality or regional pride, something that their American counterparts, the more generically named beanies, might envy.
17. Comedy
Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Tom Green, Norm MacDonald, John Candy, Ryan Reynolds, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Michael J. Fox, Martin Short are all Canadians. I believe that is enough to conclude that based on the population disparity that Canada has the upper hand in output of comedians.
18. Thoughts on Animals
Canadians tend to be pretty outdoorsy and do their Steve Irwin impersonations and wrestle some Grizzly bears. Americans would rather look at them in a zoo.
19. Entering a Home
If you read the general demeanor, you know that Canadians are polite, and Americans are rude. Canadians are used to having to remove their boots since they are always trekking in the woods according to most Americans who tend to believe that Canadians are still homesteading. Taking off their shoes would be too much of a nuisance for Americans. This act of respect for someone else’s home would take too much time from their busy lives and they might not make it home in time for the next episode of “Jersey Shore”. Well, I guess I will give the Americans a victory for impoliteness in the jerkiness competition of America vs. Canada.
Americans typically stride into a home with shoes on, blissfully unaware of any dirt they might be tracking in. Oh, the horror for their Canadian counterparts, who might as well carry a spare pair just in case. It’s not just about keeping floors clean; it’s a symbol of courtesy and respect—traits that, according to the neighbors to the north, might be on the endangered list in the U.S. So next time you cross the border, you might want to practice saying "Mind if I slip these off?" before getting an unexpected lesson in Canadian home etiquette.
20. Drinks
One of the simplest differences between America and Canada is that Americans drink soda while Canadians drink pop – another Britishism.
I’m sure that American and Canadian readers will have their own thoughts on the differences between the USA and Canada. I’d love to hear your views or more differences.
Top Image Source:iconicmanagement.com
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge