The per-capita numbers wouldn't be as dramatic. Canada's population grew by 10% between 99 and 09.

Also saying that "Canada is fiscally prudent" is true if we consider only the Public debt (which excludes household debt). France has the opposite problem, the state is a big spender and households are financially prudent. A country's finance doesn't necessarily reflect its citizens financial habits.

This is still a worrying picture for Canada...