Are you saying card use vs cash? We used non chipped cards in 2013 through out Canada.
No, we didn't pay cash for gas but once that I remember and that was because the phone service was out in some little town. But many of the stations we used in Canada had pumps that would only read a chip and not a magnetic strip. And that was also true of some of the big chain stores we used in places like Kamloops, Fort Nelson, and Prince George. Alaska was just like the Lower 48--magnetic strips could be read everywhere.
I'm wondering if it's because the masses are willing to pay 18%+ interest to cover the losses???
We never pay interest, so the rate doesn't really affect us.