This is a 10 IQ take. The vast majority of the countries urban centres and population live on or below the 49th parallel because most of what's north of that line is swamp. Also just because European cities are at higher latitudes doesn't mean the Canadian experience the same weather. Ever hear of oceanic currents?

I agree that we tend to favour politicians who make the problem worse. It's a really difficult and long process to get building permits and that's a huge problem. But just telling people to go build in the swamp, away from where their families and jobs are is dumb.