A place kick occurs during a convert or field goal attempt, when the ball holder places the ball on the ground for the kicker to kick it through the uprights. It is done exactly the same way in Canada as in the USA.
Occasionally it also occurs on a windy day when another player has to hold the ball steady on the tee during a kickoff so it doesn't blow off the tee when the kicker is trying to kick it.
The only difference would appear to be in the terminology.