IMHO Canadians are not significantly friendlier than most nationalities. At most they are friendlier than the average big-city dwelling Americans, and that's where the meme came from. Up until a few years ago Canada was a country of small cities, and these comparisons are all inherently flawed given the myriad of factors involved.

There is a LOT of conservatism brewing in Canada, and this hasn't much to do with friendliness. Some of the most astoundingly friendly people I've met were midwesterner Americans... and these same people were very bigoted in some regards. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful thing.

Of course there's a theme, and big truck jackasses playing heavy metal with "Fuck Trudeau" & MAGA stickers abound. But visit an assembly from any affluent neighbourhood residents association and you will see highly educated and courteous old ladies parrot genocidal talking points.