The answer is a clear "no", UNLESS, you are one of the two exceptions: U.S. or St. Pierre and Miquelon
Make sure to have a copy of this page of CIC website with yourself if you are traveling by air, because when you are traveling by air the airline workers at the counter in USA most likely will not know the rules and you have to explain it to them so they let you board the plane.
Another note is that you should not have visited any other country during that travel. (ex: You can't take a quick trip to Mexico while in USA)
cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=527&t=16
Thanks Capaneo, I called CIC as well, you are right about going only to the US and back - not any other country. I am carrying the email, CIC sent me as well which I have taken a printout just in case they stop to question. I have researched this quite a bit too and found it on the Justice Laws as well for immigration and refugee act.
(2) A foreign national is exempt from
the requirement to obtain a temporary resident
visa if they
(f) to re-enter Canada following a visit
solely to the United States or St. Pierre
and Miquelon, if they
(i) held a study permit or a work permit
that was issued before they left
Canada on such a visit or were authorized
to enter and remain in Canada as
a temporary resident, and
(ii) return to Canada by the end of the
period initially authorized for their
stay or any extension to it;
In respect to the above, it should be good to travel only to the US with an expired Visa
