Ontario makes up ~40% of Canada's population, so that isn't too far off. It probably goes up to >50% when you filter on young urban professionals, who are the target demographic of Tim Hortons.
That demographic prefers Starbucks, and more likely some hip 3rd wave place over timmies.
Are you sure? Tim’s is always full of blue collar guys and old people whenever I go in. Starbucks is for yuppies.
In Ottawa, we have many choices. I just went to Tim's because it was the closest. Ideally, I go to Happy Goat, or Bridgehead (which was purchased by Second cup). Starbucks and Tim Hortons are at the my bottom of the list.
At the end of the day, I just go where it's convenient. It doesn't help that at the end of my street there's a Tim Horton, which is where I used the app.
I have a Tim Hortons close to me, and I'll get a bagel there from time to time, but there's many better options that vary between 5 and 15 mins walk. I've got no plans to move anywhere that's not at least that close to decent cafes in the future. That's because I like good coffee, but also because that's where the community is.
There is even a place called Arlington 5 in Centretown, and Little Victories in the Glebe (just outside of Centretown). Both of these are small one off shops.
Happy Goat (8ish? locations) are an independant chain that is starting to spread around the city. Also, they have 1 in Kelowna, BC in a Staples! BridgeHead (20 locations) was an independant chain, but got bought by Aegis Brands (owner of Second Cup), but I still consider them "local".
Then there's Tim's, Starbucks and McDonalds. I'm sure there are many more small coffee shops, but I'm just a regular 1 cup a day drinker.
I'm in Vancouver, lots of specialty shops here, and some that are more low key. If I just want coffee, I have a decent home setup, so that's my usual, but I spend a lot of time working out of JJBean.