The only exception to this is restaurants, however that is also the case in Canada, and even if I use my debit card, they still bring me the reader, make my stick my card in, print the receipt, and sign by hand.
Where are you in Canada? I regularly visit parts of eastern Canada, including Toronto and Quebec.
I haven’t signed in the US for a credit card transaction in at least 5 or more years.
I do if I use my card outside the US.
Credit card processor doesn't require a signature.
So I can understand why nobody any longer wants to have to verify signatures.
Most people that ask me for a signature (usually deliverymen) don't care what I scrawl on their device; it's usually not even an attempt at a signature, it's just the simplest <squiggle> I can manage on those awful devices.
http://www.citi.com/chipandpin (note, pdf link)