I have a pleater for heirloom smocking and have done some on and off since the 90's. I started with the geometrics and worked up to pictures. I did my nephew a picture one of dalmations with fire hats and made him some shortalls with white and dalmation spotted fabric. When I took them over to him his older sister by 15 months asked where hers were. I told her I wasn't quite finished with them and had to go home and whip out another pair. My nephew loved wearing the smocked clothes I made him since he was about 2. My niece I continued with dresses until she was about 6. When they were asked if grandma made them their outfits they would reply in unison......No...Aunt Di made them. Usually they were with their grandmother too....and she would just beam happily at them. Great memory you brought up.

where does "canadian" come into it?

Same here, learned about it and made a pillow cover. Mine used the aqua large check gingham.

look here in english: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6PHT9LadgE
and here: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=smocking

it is another form of smocking.