That "parallel" hadn't escaped me, but you are skirting around the event's problems.
The USAFL nationals is big money, so much so they can "tender" it out to get the best deal.
The USAFL Nationals is already a big deal and already tendering it out. Making it international by adding more Canadian teams doesn't add too much to that.
Nationals consistently get two Canadian clubs: Calgary and Quebec. Even when there's a lot of teams, it's usually just multiple teams from those organisations.
I don't think they'd get too many more Canadian teams by claiming it as international as opposed to American. If Edmonton numbers build back numbers, and Nova Scotia continues its trajectory, I can see them joining, but that's regardless of the tournament's name/identity.
Men's teams were also invited to the AFL Canada Cup, but there wasn't enough interest to host a men's division. For the Canadian men in BC and Ontario, their respective grand finals remain the pinnacle. I'm still hopeful for a men's division in the future, but at the end of the day, if they aren't interested in a Canadian tournament, Nationals (or Internationals) are an even greater commitment. You'll get some Canadian clubs, but it won't capture the interest the way it does in the USAFL.
Just to reiterate, I'm all for a greater Canadian presence at Nationals, I just don't think Nationals should become the default tournament for all North American clubs. In fact, I think more Canadian teams at Nationals would help launch a men's AFL Canada Cup division.
The event is already a compromise on time and place.
More Canadian teams wouldn't change things as they try to choose a place like Denver.
If it's to evolve from USAFL to international, it can't be played exclusively in the US. That'd be like playing every AFL grand final in the one city.
And then when you do have the tournament in Canada, flights to Montreal or Calgary etc would put an extra burden on southern American teams.
I'm sure there's answers, but the bigger the scope, the harder the balance is to keep everybody happy.
My vision would be for the premiers of the regional leagues to play off in a super bowl.
So, for four teams you are looking at three games and thus three airfares/travel only.
Now, this isn't perfect, as there are leagues, metro leagues and add-hoc games but
a conference system could work with wild-cards etc.
I like that concept. Could make it a playoff between the best team from each quarter of North America (Canada East, Canada West, USA East and USA West).
Something I wish was explored more also is league representative teams. AFL Ontario had a combined team more than a decade ago for a rep match (OAFL Steam). I would love to see combined AFLBC and AFLO teams at Nationals. I think they'd probably both compete at div 1 level.