Guy sounds like a spoiled brat to boot. And frankly, I've never met a Canadian with this type of attitude - ever.
Most, if not all of them fear all authority and submit like little sheep. (And yes, I do enjoy the company of Canadians)
I did not find his attitude to be particularly rebellious.
To me it rather sounds like someone who regards “authorities” as friendly/allies and is not used to be treated as a lowly serf. His wife having something of a nervous breakdown seems to confirm this. She went into a shock from the bullying they were not at all expecting or used to.
Most people in western nations are not used to this sort of thing, believe it or not.
At my last flight out of Oslo heading to the UK, I was picked out at random for a security probe. It never feels great, but I do really appreciate how the security officer was at pains to explain why I was picked out, to make an inherently unpleasant situation more bearable - for the both of us.
A little common sense goes a long way.
I guess I have used a similar tone of voice meeting border agents in NY getting similar questions. Though I always try to answer at the best of my ability, even though the answer might be, “I have no idea mate.”
America IMHO has enough real enemies in the world. Why antagonize your allies without sound reason?
Cheers.