Canada and the US....

Canada is defines itself as a socialistic nation (for North American standards anyway), while the United States are seen and by self-definition a capitalistic nation or the capitalistic nation. What could have caused the Canadians to become more Socialistic then the US-Americans, was it the French (Quebecois) or was it something else during the Canadian history. Was it the more pacifistic approach to all issues if independence or other problems? Is it just that the Canadians define themselves by saying we are not like them (The US-Americans)?
Why did these two nations that are situated on the same continent, that are so dependent on each other, become so different in their economical ideologies? Does the difference really reach beyond the economic ideologies or are both nations basically the same?