Times definitely have changed, and yes, today anyone in Canada can buy, import, sell, own,? -a radio transmitter without any restrictions (using it without an applicable licence is another matter). But this wasn't always the case, I remember it being on the regulations exam when I wrote. I can't recall exactly when that regulation was changed, but it was sometime in the 80's. Ask an "old timer" and they'll likely remember.
VE3MIC