Boy, it is hard without a picture--these are sort of mud looking and squarish. But don't know if you have them in Canada.

http://www.cirrusimage.com/beetles_tortoise.htm

You can see larvae in this brochure:
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/veg/potato/golden_tortoise_beetle.htm

If they really have more than 6 legs than it is not an insect--I thought of an immature sowbug/pillbug but the wing bit doesn't fit.

Hope it wasn't a trash bug--those are the larvae of some species of brown lacewing-they pile debris up on their backs and are beneficial.

Any chance of a photo?

Thanks Farkee,

Yes, it is the tortoise beetle...I did not say it looks like it is on a platter because it sounded too odd...but that is it, clear and sharp!

Martha/zucchini