Why did Canada switch to the metric system?

One, because all of our other major trade partners used the metric system. Two, as the USA was — and still is — our largest trade partner, the switch to metric eliminated the confusion that arose between the two different Imperial systems; British Imperial and American Imperial. read more

Ironically, the U.S.A. set out before Canada to switch to metric, but then balked. (See the “Metric Conversion Act of 1975”, Metric Conversion Act - Wikipedia) With its largest trading partner converting, and most of its Commonwealth partners doing likewise, Canada got on the metric road in the later 1970’s. read more

The United States on conclusion of this study said they would begin to convert to this system. Since Canada's economy is so dependent and closely tied with the United States, Canada saw it in its best interest to launch and adhere to the Metric system, and they did so successfully. read more