You're correct. Canada customs is dead serious about handguns. They go on high alert when someone with a Texas license plate pulls up to their entry station. I guess they think all Texans are armed cowboys. They'll ask you three or four times in different ways if you're carrying a handgun to see if they can see a tell in your face.
Thirty years ago my wife and I, pulling a travel trailer, entered British Columbia. I was carrying a small semi-automatic handgun but stopped in Bellingham, WA and checked the gun in with a local hardware store to keep for safekeeping for a few days. The hardware store would not accept the magazine or rounds.
So when I pulled up to the customs entry and was asked, I replied honestly - "I was carrying a handgun but checked it with Xxxxx Hardware in Bellingham." "Here's the receipt." "But the hardware store wouldn't accept the magazine so it's in a drawer in the trailer."
The Canada customs agent was suddenly angry and tight-jawed. He ordered us to pull over to the inspection lane and get out of the truck. Two agents made us sit on a curb while they carefully searched the entire truck and trailer. When they found only the magazine they let us proceed without further trouble.
But I've been back many times including the Trans-Canada motorcycle ride and never had any problems. canada is a beautiful place and worth seeing. Just don't carry a gun!
Funny you'd bring that up... Was up in the PNW years back on the Heritage and I stopped in Bellingham at Grizzly Woodworking to check out the showroom and I was talking tools and bikes with the GM. He mentioned to me to be careful if I was carrying if I were to go into Canada and offered to store my pistol for me in his locked desk. We just didn't go there, crossed over at Anacortes and rode back through Whidbey Island and ferried to Port Townsend. Did a bit of the peninsula and crossed back at Edmonds.
I've been to Canada several times, the last time they sent me to secondary and hassled the hell out of me at Blaine about a vandalism charge I had when I was 17, charge... dropped, not conviction. Two hours delay and they wanted me to pay $200 CAD for a waiver. Middle finger. I told them I was coming to Vancouver to visit a friend and spend a few bucks, but I wasn't going to spend it at the guard shack. Coming back in, US Customs hassled me again and searched the rental car.
Canada was an awesome country when I was a kid, it sucks now. I feel sorry for the good residents that didn't vote for Blackface.