Some commentators have taken to calling Canada a nation of institutions not idea

Yes . It may sound like a novel idea to Americans :

But it is called HONESTY 

Just because Canada exists doesn't mean it ever was founded. In fact, the whole notion of founding a country is alien to Canadian experience. Founding is something undertaken by a Machiavellian "new Prince," but Canadian sovereignty has devolved historically from the very old British crown. The Americans and the French, with their fancy republican ways, speak easily enough about their founding fathers - Washington, Madison, Robespierre, Marat and all the rest. Canadians don't.

Were canada to inculcate Values that Americans hold so dear :

we would be ripping off our Pensioners with Ponzi schemes.

selling derivatives.

Packaging toxic Mortgages and foisting them on unsuspecting Investors.

Declaring War and murdering other coutries Citizens for their OIL.

Have a vice president that owns Haliburton oil refineries

et cetera , et cetera