With respect to the SMS implementation, it's a different regulatory regime. The observations are made against risk assessments using the compliance-based system that's there.
Are there regional differences? I would expect there should be, because the environments are different. It's different flying in the Rockies, as it is different flying in the fog-laden parts of eastern Canada, as it is different flying out of Regina.
One would expect regional approaches to take into consideration those facts. As to whether or not we have problems with that process, I would suggest not, because the accident statistics indicate so.