17 Things That Most Americans Don’t Know About Canada
How well-informed are you on the Great White North, even though Canada is America’s friendly northern neighbor? Beyond the stereotypes of maple syrup, hockey, Mounties, and saying “eh,” lies a fascinating world of quirks, history, and unexpected trivia that even the most curious Americans might not know.
Did you know there are more lakes in Canada than everywhere else combined? Or the fact that it’s the home to a law about apologizing too much? From jaw-dropping geography to lesser-known historical tidbits and uniquely Canadian laws, this country has much to offer that might leave you saying, “Wow, I had no idea!”
Read on for 17 things that’ll give you a fresh perspective on our northern neighbor, perfect for planning a visit or wanting to wow at a future trivia night. If you’re ready to discover exactly what the land that gave us poutine, ice wine, and the occasional Ryan Reynolds is all about, then this is for you!
The Canadian Dollar Has a Playful Side
While Americans refer to their currency simply as the “dollar,” Canada’s currency takes on a unique charm, with coins fondly nicknamed the “loonie” and “toonie.” The “loonie” refers to the one-dollar coin adorned with an image of a common loon, while the two-dollar coin is called the “toonie.”
Canada got some attention for its colorful polymer banknotes, which are hard to counterfeit and almost impossible to tear or ruin. Pro tip for visitors? If your change jingles more than it crinkles, don’t be confused!
Hockey Isn’t Canada’s Only National Sport
It’s well-known that hockey is Canada’s national sport, with the country excelling in Olympic medals. However, here’s an interesting twist: while hockey is the premier winter sport, lacrosse, an Indigenous game, holds the title of summer sport.
This dual designation highlights Canada’s respect for its Indigenous heritage and reflects the nation’s passion for winter sports.
Poutine is as Delicious as it Sounds
If you haven’t heard of poutine, it will be good. This is fries with cheese curds smothered in gravy—a lovely, savory, gooey masterpiece. Although it came as a result of those times, the 1950s in Quebec, it has now become a nationwide staple.
And while many argue the best places to get poutine in Quebec (and the city is certainly not shy about advertising its name in this regard), La Banquise in Montreal is a good place to start. Trust me, you try it, and you can never look at fries the same way again.
Canada Speaks the Metric System
While Canada mainly uses the metric system, it could be more straightforward in the US. And while distance is measured in kilometers, we may still use feet and pounds to express a person’s height or weight. Confusing? A little.
If you’re driving, don’t forget that speed limits are in kilometers per hour, not miles!
“Eh?” And Other Canadian Slang
Canada’s slang has its angle on English. Phrases like “double-double” (coffee with two sugars and two creams from Tim Hortons) or “toque” (a winter hat) might leave Americans scratching their heads. And, of course, there’s the infamous “eh?” often used to turn statements into friendly questions.
The Story Behind the Maple Leaf Flag
Canada didn’t adopt its signature red and white flag until 1965—nearly 100 years after becoming a country. The maple leaf iconizes unity, peace, and natural beauty. Fun fact: More than ten flag designs, including beavers and Union Jacks, were proposed over the years before the maple design was unanimously selected.
Canada’s National Parks Are Jaw-Dropping
Canada’s national parks are huge, beautiful, and accessible, yet they often fall off the map of foreign tourists. The bucket list-worthy marvels are Banff National Park in Alberta, emerald blue Lake Louise home, and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are plenty of places for outdoor exploration in Canada, with 38 national parks to choose from.
It’s a Bilingual Country
English and French are the two official languages of Canada. Provinces such as New Brunswick and Ontario have a sizeable French-speaking population (Quebec is the province where French is mainly spoken). Just in case, practice saying “bonjour” before visiting!
The Truth About Free Canadian Healthcare
While Canada’s universal healthcare is often praised, it’s not entirely “free.” It’s taxpayer-funded, so residents pay for things indirectly through taxes instead of premiums or out-of-pocket fees.
Critics of the system say wait times for non-essential services can be long. But as a source of national pride, it’s essential.
Canada Isn’t All Snow and Ice
Yes, Canada is well known to be cold in winter, but it has a striking geography. Toronto is hot for summers, with heat waves of over 90°F; Vancouver has mild winters, and snow is a rarity. But how about the Yukon and Nunavut? Freezing.
The Northern Lights Will Leave You Awestruck
One of the best places to watch the Northern Lights is Canada. It offers the best views north of the 60th Parallel, especially in Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories, and in Churchill, Manitoba, from October to March. Get ready to gaze hypnotically at the sky as colors magically shift all around you as you bundle up.
Famous Canadians You May Not Know
Canada has given the world some incredible talent. We like to think of Celine Dion, Ryan Reynolds, Drake, Shania Twain, and Jim Carrey. A surprising number of celebrities have Canadian origins (hello there, Justin Bieber and Keanu Reeves).
Meet Canada’s Iconic Wildlife
Our wildlife is a true Canadian treasure, and some of their wonderful creatures are Beavers, Moose, polar bears, and Beluga whales. Churchill, Manitoba, is nicknamed the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” while moose sightings are common throughout the Atlantic provinces.
Unique Canadian Holidays
In Canada holidays work a little, but different. “Canada Day” (July 1st) celebrates the country’s birth, while “Victoria Day” honors Queen Victoria’s birthday. “National Indigenous Peoples Day” is also dedicated to Indigenous cultures and contributions.
Tim Hortons is a Way of Life
But if you’re Canadian, you know that Tim Hortons isn’t just a coffee chain — it’s required more. Known affectionately as “Timmies,” its double-doubles and Timbits (donut holes) hold a special place in Canadian hearts. And I mean, there’s even a joke that Canada runs off of Tim Hortons and not coffee.
The Moose Population Outnumbers Some U.S. States
An estimated 500,000-1 million moose live in Canada — roughly as many as in the United States of Delaware or Vermont. Not that this was anything out of the ordinary for these majestic animals, who are especially abundant in Newfoundland and are known to just walk casually onto highways.
Canada is Brimming With Mysteries and Adventures
Vibrant cities, vivacious people, and hauntingly beautiful landscapes of The Rockies and The Arctic, to name a few. If your goals are gastronomy, culture, nature, or wildlife, you’ll never run out of the new to discover.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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