I lived in Burlington, VT for 3 years and crossed the border quite often - 1 1/2 hours to Montreal. Also worked and attended sales training in Toronto. Didn't see much of the area. Canadiens are very similar to Americans except they speak French in Quebec City and Montreal a little.

Having just moved back to Texas after 10 years in Canada I hear the answer to this quite often.
The most common perceptions are that Canadians are all super nice and really freaking lucky to be living on their side of the border.

The Canadians I meet here in Florida during the winter months all seem to have big smiles on their faces.