Lol, I don't make the rules, that's how the registrars work. If I could give the domain to anyone, I would have done so. All domain extensions should be free reign for anyone that wants them, but protectionism is a big problem in the world today.
Free domain here and you have a few months to either use it, flip it or do whatever you want. Forward it to a current website to get an extra couple viewers per month. Sell it with a .CA portfolio, etc. Most other free domains that come here are either expiring shortly or at best have a month. I wish it wasn't locked to Canadian residents because that's a stupid rule, but there's nothing I can do about that.