Originally Posted by yevlesh2
I am a little confused, wouldn't you fall under the visa waiver program as a European, even when just transiting?
Not all Europeans qualify for visa waivers.
Originally Posted by mcgahat
I just feel like avoiding the US to transit via Canada is not gaining a lot for the OP.
It would, to begin with, save several months' wait for an interview for the right to apply for an US visa; non-nationals get 3rd class treatment at US embassies even in their country of residence. Canada doesn't require visas for a much broader range of countries than the US.