Knowing how (to skate) is a relative thing. Some Canadian and Russian skaters are among the best in the world. But some of them aren't. What I see when they come here is that most of them have skated often before, but many haven't taken any lessons. Those are reasonably fast and comfortable on the ice, but they might not have good edges, go backwards, or be able to do crossovers and turns, etc. The same is true of some of the Russians that come here, even those that lived in the colder parts of Russia.
It's like walking or running. Most of us have walked and run for many years, and are reasonably comfortable doing it, but most of us don't use good efficient technique, or know what good technique is.