Currently, the exchange rate is not very favorable to the US, as $1 CAD is approximately equal to $0.95 USD (I knew the dollar was weak, but I didn't know it was THAT weak, as I can remember when it was almost a 2:1 ratio of Canadian dollars to US dollars, and I'm only 36 years old!)
Regarding duties and taxes, that's a much more complex subject. I don't know if there is anybody on here that's familiar with imports and exports, but I know the duties and taxes that you have to pay depend upon the type of item, the value of the item, and whether you are purchasing the item from an individual or from a business. It used to be that as a general rule of thumb that if the product is manufacturered in North America and shipped within North America that it was duty free under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). But I don't know if that's still true or not. I would suggest you start here for your research:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/co...ty_free-e.html
Good luck!
Jason Oldfield
S/G & S/ST 1838