This is worth repeating, so here I am quoting Denis for emphasis.

Let me try to get the conversation started. It seems like you basically have three possible uses for firearms. I note down areas of motivation, because it's really important to keep your skills current:

1. No breakdown of order. You may be able to use firearms for home defense against murders/rapists, i.e., situations where your life and limb are threatened. It sounds like you really need to look into the defense laws and the gun laws in Canada carefully before making this decision. If you do decide to go this route, you should pick up some sort of shooting sport that you like, so as to keep your skills current. (Trap or skeet shooting, practical pistol (IPSC or IDPA), bullseye, etc.) The sport will help motivate you. You don't want to just buy a gun and a box of ammo, only to leave them in the closet for the next 20 years. If a serial killer breaks in to harm your family, you might not remember which end of the gun to point at him.

2. No breakdown of order, but you need to do sustenance hunting because of money trouble. If you live in the country, you may be able to hunt and put some food on the table. I gather you have to be good at hunting to begin with. So that means you should be a recreational hunter to begin with (that's your motivation). If you live in the city, I can't see how you'll be able to drag the carcass back home, butcher it, etc.

3. Breakdown of order. The nice folks of Montreal suddenly feel like they live amongst the average citizens of LA. Then maybe you need firearms to shoot marauding gangs who come by to enslave your children, rape your wife, and make you fight the Humongous in the thunderdome for their pleasure. In that case, you'd better get a lot of tactical training during peace time, stockpile guns and ammo, get your black gear in place, etc. The motivation? Fear, vigilance, and... let's face it, those of us who do tactical training often enjoy it.

Guns stuff is expensive. Guns can be expensive, but they aren't the most costly part. It's the ammo and the training cost, if you want to maintain your skill level.