Canada, Eh?!

The famous maple leaf!

Canada has a unique position in the music world.  They have their own plethora of talent, and their own way of doing things. I try to get there at least once a year.
For their own artists (chiefly Anglophone), we've seen Gordon Lightfoot, Anne Murray, Bryan Adams, Alanis Morissette, and Justin Bieber to name a few.  In order for them to be heard at home, the CRTC have laws that make sure TV and radio have a certain amount of homegrown programming.
Bands like Rush and Nickelback are now signed to one label in their backyard, and another everywhere else.  This was part of the CanCon regulations, but some get signed through the States such as Drake and Avril Lavigne.  French speakers initially had Céline Dion to themselves, and they still do with Garou, Octobre and Mylène Farmer.  Montréals The Musical Box, Mystery and Simple Plan are Francophones but perform in English.
For releases from international artists, they're usually analogous to US editions across the lake.  It varies by album. Sometimes they match everyone but the States.
Releases from both sides of the St Lawrence/Great Lakes Seaway cross-pollinate.  I see Canadian releases as far as 250 km from the border, while some US releases can be seen across the 49th.
Another thing is that Canadian releases can have the same sleeve or disc as the US.  Also, some US releases have inserts or discs/tapes made in Canada.  Thats NAFTA for ya!
Our neighbour to the north has a lot to offer everyone. Be sure to get something from there sometime.