As has been [extensively][1] [reported][2] [elsewhere][3], Canadian taxes and fees are considerably higher for air travel than American taxes and fees. On the one hand, the U.S. subsidizes its airports (for example, supplying TSA agents and FAA air traffic controllers) allowing them to charge lower rents and passenger facility charges than their Canadian counterparts; additionally, Canadian excise taxes, like most Canadian taxes in general, are higher than their U.S. equivalents. Air Canada being Canada's only major international carrier may also bear some blame.

When in Canada, do as the Canadians do: take ground transportation across the border and fly from a U.S. airport. Such is the business in tiny Plattsburgh (pop. 20,000) that PBG bills itself as "Montreal's U.S. airport" and has a French website, and by some reports 75% of the passengers through PBG are Canadian. Allegiant Air even began service from Grand Forks, North Dakota to capitalize on the willingness of Canadians to drive in from as far as Winnipeg to save a few hundred dollars going to Florida.

* From Calgary: GTF or MSO (>5 hours' drive, but attested to online)
* From London: BUF or DTW
* From Montreal: PBG or BTV
* From Ottawa: OGS or BTV
* From St. John: BGR
* From Toronto: BUF, ROC or SYR
* From Vancouver: BLI or SEA
* From Winnipeg: GFK
* From Regina and southeastern Saskatchewan: ISN or MOT

Megabus, as noted previously, has direct service from Toronto to the Buffalo airport, although it is not the speediest. You can also take Greyhound to the Buffalo terminal, then take city bus 204 to the airport. There are also a variety of premium shuttle and limousine services between Toronto and Buffalo, although these are quite expensive unless you have a group of 5 or 6.

  [1]: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-03-02-businesstravel02_ST_N.htm
  [2]: http://www.financialpost.com/news/More+Canadians+crossing+border/4293193/story.html
  [3]: http://www.ctvvancouverisland.ca/2012/06/canadians-cross-border-to-catch-flights/