Maybe taking the courses, doing the LTATT course, learning about antiques, looking into RCMP regulations.
Antique:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/f...orique-eng.htm
Storing:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/f...posage-eng.htm
The OP was asking about handguns for protection, for new handguns this is almost impossible in this country, unless you want to use a flintlock as a side arm.
I was giving him the information about antiques in Canada, which is a valid way of using a handgun with open carry as a sidearm for protection and not going against the restricted laws as antiques trump prohibited and restricted rules in Canada.
The following pistol made before 1898 (before Jan 1 1898) would be legal for open carry protection in Canada as it uses the 455 Webley round, not one of the exception calibers of (.22 short, .22 long, .22 long rifle, .32 short colt, .32 long colt, .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32‑20 Winchester, .38 Smith and Wesson; .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38-40 Winchester, .44‑40 Winchester, or .45 Colt). These rounds are generally made from blackpowder as most of these revolvers are not proofed for smokeless powder and also use dead soft lead reloaded on a compressed charge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webley_Revolver
There is a Wiki link for you.