I lived in St. Hubert and Brossard.
Wow - you dodged a bullet there! Most of the Heller line wasn’t worth the cardboard it was wrapped in.
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I must live in the oddest place. One B&M closed and another opened (Great Hobbies)! I’ve acquainted my wife with its location too 
I use BNA from Australia a lot if my LHS doesn’t have it. They have excellent pricing, customer service, quick and fair shipping. The big bonus with BNA is zero tax to Canada, so shipping charges equal out!
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They are indeed a challenge, but,
alas, they were and partially still are,
the only game in town on the internet
I’m getting back into modeling after a long absence, and like you, I’m worried how the upcoming tariffs will affect my ability or inability to restart my model building. I am going to sit back and wait and watch if and see what happens. I miss the hobby shops of old; the places where modelers, both young AND old, used to go in each week, to buy the supplies needed to keep building, and to check out the new releases, as well as order the models that we wanted to build. The hobby shops were also the places where modelers could discuss the kits (old AND new), share tips to help make builds better, and to make friends with like minded people. Are those days gone? Maybe, I don’t know, but if I’m able, I’ll go to as many hobby shops as I possibly can, to get what supplies I might need, and to find those old souls who are still around, and maybe share ideas, tips, and such, to help keep my renewed interest going.
No. We are still right here.
The “local” hobby forum which is open 24/7.
There is almost always someone around who can help finding answers and juggle ideas.
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Maybe you have a local modeling club around you,a local IPMS chapter
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Check out ebay, lots of kits being sold by those who have decided they don’t want it anymore or grieving relatives trying to offload dads/granddads old kits.
If you go on ebay you must decide in advance how much you are willing to pay.
If someone bids higher you opt out and look/wait for a similar kit.
Some offers are auctions and they can get crazy, some are straight sells (this is the price,
buy or buy not, straight and simple). Here you also have the option to search for other opportunities.
Just one example: 1/24 scale Cord 812 from crazy expensive to OK price, all in the US, just tick the box on the left side. I choose Europe only since shipping and customs handling kills most deals. This one is in Germantown, WI
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I agree, slimmer chance of a AMPS chapter but there could be other unaffiliated clubs around the area.
20 yrs ago we had just 1 IPMS chapter, now we still have that one, AMPS and 3 unaffiliated clubs all talking about modeling. Granted most currently met at 2 different hobby stores but our IPMS met at local restaurant with a private setting area for free. You can met anywhere that will have the group. If there is a will, there is a way.
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Welcome aboard!
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Welcome aboard.
Do you “remember”: “Hobby World”, “Trainatorium”, “Westmount Hobbies”, “Kangaroo”, “Udisco”, “Hobby Junction”, “International Hobbies”?..All gone 
. Now there’s only “Ted’s Hobbies” in Pointe Claire, and there’s a “Hobby 2000” in Chatauguay, but that’s really out in the sticks! Not to mention that all the major department stores downtown had large model kit selections.
I almost forgot “L’Oiseau Bleu” from my childhood! Fifty to sixty years ago was the “Golden Age” of modeling.
No, I wasn’t into modelling when I lived in Mtl.
Working at a hobby importer/wholesaler/retailer for the past year, I’ll say this- there is no need to worry about the immediate future of the hobby. Supply and demand is strong. There are some challenges ahead with the tariff situation, but plans are being made and implemented to deal with them. More and more products are being created and sold. Most of it does not sit for long once it arrives from producers to our wholesale section. And our recent partnered up retail side is doing business like there is no tomorrow.
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If the locals (as in local/provincial/national) don’t have what I’m looking for, I go to BNA. Possibly the best online modeling website I’ve seen. I have only good things to say about them! Fair prices, and ya, no duty… as opposed to other places.
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I agree. They are my go to for almost anything. Great service, shipping and inventory.
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Who or what is BNA?
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Hello,
Wakey wakey 
BNA is:
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Personally I think it’s a great time to be in this hobby. 75% of my projects would not be possible if I just waited for the big model companies to design and produce stuff I want.
I can design or download digital files for a million things, to add or modify almost any kit. 3D printing has revolutionized and localized the hobby, even if the B&M stores are thinning out (that’s nearly all retail).
Never before could I make a 4 foot long spaceship, or obtain obscure figures for my Smokey & the Bandit dioramas. And don’t get me started on all the different paints, primers, weathering enamels and inks that didn’t even exist 20 years ago.
The possibilities are endless for those who wish to create physical models and figures IMHO.
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What he @Uncle-Heavy said.