Boxwood. But you will need one of the hybrids to ensure its z5 hardy. Something like http://saundersbrothers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=1506&typeID=16&whichname=genus

In addition to boxwood, you could also consider a dwarf Japanese holly like Ilex crenata 'Soft Touch."

Matt, where are you? If you are in certain parts of New England, boxwood may not be a good choice since there are a couple of health problems with boxwood. Boxwood psyllid is an insect and boxwood blight is a disease. (The blight link dates from 2011, so you may find more current info about how far it has spread and what if any treatment beyond destruction of the plants is recommended.)

Blue Princess Holly? The meserve/Blue hollies are dwarf hollies bred for small size and cold tolerance. You can pick up small ones cheap after Christmas and during Fall sales at big box sales. Might be marginal in your area.

yes, I was reading up on the suggested boxwoods, but was disappointed to find out about boxwood blight. I don't want to take chances with that, would like to find a alternative.

I didn't read much on Soft Touch yet, seems interesting, can it be maintained to a 1 foot (roughly) hedge? and look good in winter?

I know the meserve/Blue hollies are Japanese Holly hybrids, and Soft Touch is a Japanese Holly cultivar. The Merserve/Blue hollies (which I've planted) look great in Zone 6 winters. Fully evergreen, and have red berries to boot. Not sure how they would deal with Zone 5...that's pushing their limits.

They grow pretty slowly and take well to pruning...so you could probably maintain them at two feet fairly easily. Not as sure about one. Would be a lot of work...but so would Boxwood or anything else.

You aren't in New England. Are Boxwood psyllid or boxwood blight problems in Canada?

The other standard hedge material is Yew...that may be more cold tolerant. Dwarf Golden Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata 'Nana Aurescens')?

I don't know if inkberry holly (Ilex glabra) can be pruned to that size, but there is a form, 'Shamrock' that gets to only 3'-4' and is slow-growing, and so might do better than most I. glabra as smaller hedge. They do prefer acid soils, so if yours are basic, it might not work well.

I'd check around and see if it seems like either of the boxwood problems are in your area. It's a fair distance from CT to Toronto (sorry I didn't read carefully the first time) and you may be fine. I also don't know how fast it is likely to spread.