You are considered a TEMPORARY RESIDENT which is different. Instead of arguing with you, I will just show you the actual law from Transport Canada and Border Control. Frequently Asked Questions - Non Immigrant Who is considered to be a temporary resident of Canada? Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States - Transport Canada VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA
I have seldom had any hassles crossing the U.S./ Canada border. Once, returning to the U.S. from Winnipeg I had to pull in and they searched my car, and once at a small MB/ND crossing I had to unpack the back. Once, entering Canada, the first time I was ever asked if I had ever been arrested, there was a big hassle which ended in my getting a "letter of rehabilitation" from the Canadian government and no more hassles for my arrest record. That's three incidents out of maybe 20 or 30 crossings. In each case I was driving my own car. What if you have three houses, in different jurisdictions, and divide the year equally among them? I remained a legal resident of North Dakota the entire time I was in Mexico and Spain. Three years altogether, on different sorts of visas. In Mexico I had a student visa and then a rentista visa, and in Spain I had a tourist visa.
Then it is up to each jurisdiction to determine if you are a resident, permanent resident, deemed resident, or visitor at that particular place. There is no guarantee that any of the jurisdictions will allow you to be considered a permanent resident.
That's pretty much been my experience, too. The last time home, I just stuck my passport in a scanner, and handed the little declaration card to an agent on my way out the door. It's the strangest thing, but I find as I get older that I need a firmer pillow.