As I read the OP, He is not talking about driving through Canada, USA to USA; he is talking about driving TO Canada and going hiking with a handgun on his person for self-defense. Sounds like a bad idea to me.
We only drove with a few guns during our move through Canada. All were long Fudd guns except for one Garand that was specifically exempted from their ban list. I spoke with RCMP on the phone when I had questions before our trips; they were very helpful. CBP was nice to us at the crossings. As I remember: ALL guns had to be locked up the entire trip through Canada. The world (Canada) has changed since our trips! Even back then I only took firearms I was 100% sure there would be no problem.
I followed a thread on another site a while back where a Canadian had a permit to carry a handgun in the woods for self-defense. He worked in the woods and it was still a pretty big deal to be allowed to carry.
Edit: I tracked down that 2021 thread and will correct my misremembers: The guy gave the Wilderness Permit test for people that worked in the woods and "needed" to carry a handgun for protection. Very few people have the "need". Bear guides, remote small scale miners, etc. He said at one point: "US citizens won't be carrying a handgun in B.C. or the Yukon under any circumstance..."