In other areas I could go on and on about how providence has graced both countries, but things are a little easier for Canada. Canada does not have the third world on its southern border, in fact its only land border is with the US. Best neighbor in the world. Plus, since we share the continent, the US would never allow a foreign power to invade Canada.
From what I can see, there is not as much corruption in Canada. Politics is not a blood sport. The left wing parties do not resort to smear as much and the actual voting process is basically honest and above board. You do need to show ID to vote, and they cross your name off the list when you get a ballot.
Is the Canadian electorate smarter? I think the literacy rate is higher but the average voter isn't any smarter. Left wing politicians still pander and try to buy votes with the voter's own money. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Call it luck or the confluence of events. In 1993 the remains of the conservative party held two (2) seats out of 295. The could literally hold a caucus in a phone booth. A man named Preston Manning came from Alberta and formed a new right wing party, the Reform Party. In the next election Reform won 60 seats and the conservatives got 20. They kept increasing their election totals until 2006 when Harper was able to form a minority government.
Just last year Harper finally won enough seats to form a majority government. In a parliamentary democracy with no real constitution, a majority government has virtual dictatorial powers. As long as they can maintain party discipline, everything gets passed.
The markets seem to like what is going on. The Canadian dollar is up about 25% vs. the greenback since 2009. The country's debt has a AAA rating. The banking system is solid. The Bank of Canada is NOT printing money. The federal budget is scheduled to BALANCE in two years. I'll take it.
If you want a take on Canada's foreign policy, I love posting this picture.
Notice the relaxed body language and genuine smiles from both of these guys.