I think its a certain type of person that will entertain Canada as a destination for free agency. Some of the athletes who have turned down offers from Toronto in the major sports are of the ignorant kind. I remember comments like "they dont get ESPN" and " My kids won't learn about american history in school" not to mention the classics "Canadian health care is awful, I want the best for my family" and " The weather is too cold" (NBA all-star game cold snap didnt help that out at all)
This negative perception might be changing slightly, but for the most part if its an ignorant tool of a person a team is targeting, odds are in favor of his ignorance winning.