Wow, you actually know a lot about this, don't you? I'm glad (but not surprised) I'm not the only one thinking about it.

I assume construction workers make a sort of similar wage up here, and construction is still at 100-200 CAD per square meter, which isn't dissimilar to quick search results for American prices. That seems like it should imply our workers are as productive as anybody.

We’re the most educated nation in the world, according the OECD

I did not know that! A link.

because Canadian culture is very much go to university, get a good office job, else you will be considered a compete failure in life.

This is really the vibe. For my own age group I'd say trades or running a sufficiently hipster farm are also cool, but even then just working isn't enough, it has to be a passion. It's not working very well, most people just have job shame.