I'm a Canadian permanent resident and the dozen or so times I've crossed the border into Canada I've never had a negative experience. I've always found the Canadian border agents to be polite and courteous. I cannot say the same for their US counterparts. Not doubting the negative experiences described above just that my personal random sample has been different.

Ditto. The Canadians were pretty easy to deal with.

The US is always a PITA, esp. after long international flights. One time they flagged me for "smuggling halogen headlights" or something and searched ALL of my stuff. Missed my LA-DC flight because of it. And I'm a white, clean-cut US citizen.

Keep in mind that people who cross the border without any incidents don't usually bother posting about it. I wouldn't alter your plans just based on a few comments here at least.

I'm a Canadian, and the most nerve wracking question I was ever asked (that I can recall) was:

    Do you bring back any food ?

(I had a undeclared box of cereal in my backpack)