It is kind of you to think of such things. I think that the gift would be appreciated as what it is, a Canadian welcoming blanket, so long as it wasn't deliberately offensive. People can understand a basic faux pas, but it's easier to understand when you are protected from the cold! I think florals or geometrics or stripes or plaids would all be just fine. I'd question novelty fabrics, say a cluster of cherries would be fine, but I'd stay away from food prints because just too many possible issues for too many people.
I know in my own donation quilting and discussions that a lot of people don't like bugs. Personally, I like any number of bug fabrics but I've known men who wouldn't use sheets because of "bugs" on the, which were lovely butterflies. I'm also a bit cautious about using Spiderweb quilting designs for donation quilts because of the same sort of thing.