Some years ago I read about two men who, one winter, were on a small island in the middle of a fairly small lake. (I believe this was in Colorado, but am not sure.) Regardless, they were canoeing to the main land, a short distance away, when the canoe capsized. Some other men on on the shore saw this happen, got into a power boat and had them out of the water in just a few minutes. Neither man could function. They were almost unconscious. They managed to get them into some sleeping bags and transport them to the hospital. They survived but had they not had help, they would not have made it.
Frankly, I think some of you guys have no idea whatsoever what the cold is like in the Canada. You will lose your ability to use your hands and fingers very quickly, your mind will not function well, you won't think clearly, and your core temperature is dropping like a rock.
I can see the scenario you imagine: "Oh, I've fallen in some frigid water, my clothes are soaked, the temperature is below zero, there is three feet of snow on the ground, and the wind is blowing. Well, I'll just find some wood to burn, some kindling, and then I'll whip out my tinder and my mora / firesteel and I'll have a large roaring fire going in about an hour. Well, I might as well construct a shelter while I wait on the fire." Trust me, this is is not how it is going to be.
Canada is not the U.K. You do not experience the kind of cold that they do. You cannot judge this guy based on your experiences in Britain. If he experienced a sudden soaking incident, he might have had 5 or 10 minutes to save himself. Not enough. Very possibly he had everything he needed, but had some very bad luck.
Good riddance? I don't think so. I hope none of you ever have a similar accident.