Wtf, which visa process is tougher? Are you kidding me? You probably carried a handgun in your bag hence you faced "certain issues" goodness. I travel to Canada each and every year and hardly anywhere in the world are officers more professional and respectful while doing their duty. The process could not be easier.
I know you live in Canada, and when I went there, the Visa application process was a lot tougher than the US. Therefore, I don't understand why everyone feels free to complain that the US wants to bring the standards up...if other countries are so great, why not bring their standards down then?