In reference to the War of 1812, apparently the term "Canadian" was originally meant to be insulting, indicating a European who had "gone native." This would include a lot of Scots who were happy enough to trade with, and learn some of the local cultures: many married Native women. The difference between a 'proper' British subject and a "Canadian" was that the latter had no intention of leaving, and thus was crazy enough to vigourously defend his adopted land.
Some of the craziness inspired by these people included building enormous ships of the line--out of green timber! They didn't last long [rotted out pretty quickly] but they served their purpose securing Lake Ontario's shores. They didn't do so well on Lake Erie, which American forces mostly commanded, and which allowed numerous mill-burning raids into Southwestern Ontrario.
One of the crazier episodes involved taking control of Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron--with one ship. Even the British commanders couldn't rein in the band of men who sailed the "Nancy," a small armed schooner, captained by a Scotsman, of course.

RE: 1837
Montgomery's Tavern stood on the west side of Yonge St. just north of Eginton. I think my mother said that it was burned to the ground in the early 1930s. On its site is Toronto Postal Station "K" which has the distinction of being the only federal building in Canada where the coat of arms displays "E VIII R" standing for King Edward VIII. The building is reputed to be haunted, but then again, there have always been some sort of "spirits" there, whether they be erstwhile revolutionaries, or posties.