Fees are lower for the merchant. As a result it is less likely to see a 50c surcharge to use a card with debit. Places like convenience stores often only have debit.

Personally I use credit for anything major, for the protections.

People who have poor credit can use debit if they can’t get a credit card, or want to make a purchase above their limit.

I am not Canadian but I am irresponsible and a debit card lets me just spend in a relatively stateless fashion. Check online account, if money can spend, otherwise not. I change the card numbers pretty often so not too worried about fraud. I use PayPal for recurring payments/subscriptions.

> Aren't the consumer protection benefits greater with credit card?

Yes, consumer protection regulations (and benefits) are better on credit cards (at least in the US, I don't know about other countries).

I just want to pay for things. I'm not interested in spending money I don't have. And credit cards are obviously waiting to pounce on me if I forget to pay the balance, and charge an insane amount of interest. I don't need the added complication.

Sure, that's one way to look at it. But I set my credit card to pay off the entire balance every month so I don't worry about any of those concerns. But, I also get the benefits that most cards offer (automatic extended warranties, purchase protection, price protection, etc).