The difference is the value of life. We North Americans put a much higher value on life than many other countries and cultures in the world. I personally think, as probably most North Americans do, that's a good thing.
Years ago we used to work for Bicks' Pickles. Those little Gherkins that everyone likes come from India. Farmers there will grow, pick, sort, and ship them for $1.00 a bushel, and they'll only get a bushel a day. When I asked why so cheap, I was told that labour there is cheap. The farmers use their families as a workforce and if one child gets sick, or dies, they "just have another".
My first thought was what a horrible way to live(1). After further consideration, I came to the conclusion that as a culture they never knew, or learned, any different. That's just the way it is. Life is simply a commodity to be bought, sold, traded, exploited, or just plain used up.
When people from other countries come here, they bring that culture with them and live by it until they come to understand that here, we live by a different culture, and that just doesn't happen overnight, especially when newcomers settle into culturally oriented communities that cater to the "back home" feel.
There is so much more that newcomers should know about this country, hence my assertion that the government needs to do more, and do it faster, for new Canadians to help them assimilate into this new, multicultural assembly of citizens.
(1) Upon reflection I decided "live" is not a good term to use in this instance. Exist much better describes the life people from these countries and cultures endure.