I didn't want anyone to think I'm ignoring that you're a Canadian DS so I looked up some info from your perspective too. I'm no expert but based upon what I have read I will offer you this advice, bring your loonies and shop in the US.
Economists were writing about the possibility of parity between the loonie and the US dollar last year. Why? The Canadian economy is strong in comparison to the US economy and that strength is boosting the loonie.
From CBC.ca May 2006:
What's behind the soaring Canadian dollar?
Look for 92 to 95 cents US by later 2006, some say. And several analysts are calling for the loonie to reach parity with its U.S counterpart by 2007 – something that hasn't happened since 1976.
The loonie's been flying in large part because the U.S. economy has been struggling to get off the ground. Washington is facing budget and trade deficits that have never been higher. In 2005, the U.S. bought $723.6 billion more in foreign goods and services than it sold, registering yet another record annual trade deficit.
From Reuters Feb 06:
Canadian dollar parity with US dollar looms
It might have been unthinkable only a few years ago, but parity between the U.S. and Canadian dollars some day is not that much of a long shot any more.
From Export Development Canada May 2006:
Dollar parity possible – but then what?
Many have begun to contemplate the possibility that the Canadian dollar might reach parity with the U.S. dollar. Since the vast majority of export sales are conducted in U.S. dollars, a 10% rise in the Canadian dollar would clip C$3-4 billion per month from export revenues – a serious matter.
BTW, the US govt acknowledges that Canadian currency has earned parity with the US dollar and that it will probably stay that way for a long time.
From Canadianpress Sept 2007:
U.S. official suggests loonie deserves lofty heights near parity with greenback
Responding to a reporter's question that speculation was driving the loonie higher, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, in the Ottawa area to sign a new bilateral tax agreement, said there were sound economic fundamentals supporting the Canadian currency.