Yes Gnu, there have been significant advancemenmts made in heat pump technology to make them more suitable for colder climates in a couple of front (such as adopting inverter technology, to increase efficiency).

The unit I purchased last year was developed for cold conditions, like in in Canada. Though there are a number of brands, the brand I have is imported, (yes from China, with some japanese parts), by a Moncton based company and is distributed throughout the Maritime provinces.