Because Canada (and many other countries) has most of their measurements based on the metric system.
Many of the USA measurements are based on feet/yards and pounds/ounces.
I really do not know WHY we have different systems. Habit and custom, I guess. Because that's what the English used.
It is always wise to know what system something is being measured in.
There are even "different" ounces and tons.
Yes, a meter is "longer/more" - but I feel it is up to the buyer to know what he/she is getting/ordering.
Approximate comparison: 1 meter = 39.37 inches
1 yard = 0.9144 meter
1 meter = 1.0936 yards
one inch = 2.54 cm
one cm = 0.3937 inch