I can't disagree with much of what you're saying, and still as a Canadian there is no realistic amount of money that could incentivize me to move to the US.
For Montreal, the French thing is largely true, meaning you would generally have to at least pretend to be learning French. I find that the requirement gets ignored regularly however when yours is the only decent CV in the pile.
This is largely because managers don't understand just how in demand people are in tech. They think you are replaceable, until you quit, then they realize the market is insane and they have to increase their offer significantly.
At least here in Montreal software engineers are almost as high in demand as doctors.
For Montreal, the French thing is largely true, meaning you would generally have to at least pretend to be learning French. I find that the requirement gets ignored regularly however when yours is the only decent CV in the pile.