So, that's likely what's happening! The amount your friend saw is the result of the exchange rate applied by PayPal, which generally includes a currency conversion fee.
When a payment needs to be converted to the selling currency, PayPal performs this conversion. This can cause the final amount in Canadian dollars, for example, to differ from the "pure" exchange rate you see on Google. This is a standard practice for payment platforms that handle currency conversions, and it's not a fee I added.
Because of this, even if he thinks "PayPal won't help," they are the only ones who can detail exactly how this conversion is calculated for his transaction. PayPal Support can clarify all the questions he has about the final amount.
I sincerely hope this helps resolve the issue.
