Actually...they aren't much healthier
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mintel.com/blog/food-market-news/canada-vs-us-dining-out/amp
66% of Canadians eat out at fast food restaurants A look at Canadians and Americans who dine out reveals that both are
more likely to eat at fast food restaurants over any other restaurant type: nearly 7 in 10 Canadians eat out at burger, chicken, pizza or sub sandwich fast food compared to
3 in 5 Americans who eat out at burger or chicken fast food. Fast casuals also draw similar levels of patronage for both countries. We find that both Canadians and Americans prefer being able to get in and out quickly, which ranks amongst the top factors considered when choosing a restaurant.
https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2017/12/09/ultra-processed-food-heart-stroke-health-risk-diet/
Almost half the foods Canadians eat are highly processed products that are poor in nutrition and increase health risks, according to new research commissioned by
Heart & Stroke Canada. Even worse, children between the ages of nine and 13 are getting 57 per cent of their calories from these foods high in sugar, fat and salt that pack a lot of calories and little nutrition.
Canadians among biggest consumers
“We are, in Canada, are the world’s second largest consumers of these products, next to the United States,” says Jean-Claude Moubarac, an assistant professor at the University of Montreal and author of this report. “In Canada and similar countries like the States and the U.K., our idea is that the consumption level of these products is explaining why we have such a heavy burden with obesity…diabetes…hypertension…heart disease.”
Heart & Stroke says recent data reveal that unhealthy diets are now the leading risk factor for death in Canada.
As for cost, the better argument is healthcare in Canada isn't actually free. Canadians pay steeper taxes to cover the cost for government funded health care.