> Most Canadians live quite far south.

"South" in Canada is still north. Calgary (third largest city) is almost 6000 km from the equator. Toronto is the major city furthest south and it's still almost 5000 km.

> Toronto is on the same latitude as France’s Mediterranean coast

Europe is also quite far north. The Mediterranean has warmer temperatures because of ocean currents carrying warm water from the south, not because of its latitude. Toronto is at the same latitude as Wisconsin.

> and they of course have plentiful hydropower.

They get a little over half from that. You still need something to do the other half.