There is no pattern on the towel that is why it works.
We have viva here, but it's patterned. I just use whatever paper towel I have handy, patterned or not. Then use some regular paper (the kind you'd get in a photocopier or a printer) afterwards to smooth out the pattern.
Apparently you can also use baking/parchment paper.
Or try the Melvira technique 
Viva has more of a cloth texture where other paper towels have pattern impressions in them. Even my plain cheap paper towels have little dots all over them that don't give me a smooth finish.
I feel your pain. I'm in Canada too and have yet to find a good substitute. Since I live close to the border I have a good friend who regularly crosses to shop. SHe is my Viva towel and strawberry cake mix mule (I should get my passport so I can go myself really!)
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