I'm in a small Canadian town too and I know the frustration trying to convince the local music stores I'm serious about ukes. They have $10 toy ukes for kids, and their upscale version is the same $30 model you see. Big deal here was the 'Flying V' model. I'm always bemused that every guitar hanging up in the stores is always in tune, but not a single uke is.
When I ask if they can get something better, they scratch their heads, paw through catalogues and show me a $35 or $40 model, which seems to be the $30 model with gold-plated tuner knobs. I don't think any of the major manufacturers have Canadian distribution.
The store owners know nada about ukes. They can tell me everything about guitars, basees, drums, amps, synthesizers - but on ukes you might as well be asking about ouds or bouzoukis. They're slightly contemptuous if you press them to look for something better, even when you express a willingness to pay a good price - as if you can't be a real musician unless you buy a big instrument. Why bother with a ukulele when you can own this Fender Strat copy for only $299? Here's a Washburn acoustic, my best seller. Take this one for $399. You'll be happier because it has more strings.
One seller finally pulled up an Ovation catalogue and showed me the Applause. Not in stock, mind you, but I could order one, sight unseen, if I wanted to pay for it up front. No, didn't know anything about it. But it's made by Ovation, so it oughta be good... nah never even heard one at the trade shows. Who looks at ukes when there are guitars to be fondled and tried?
Don't even try to get into a conversation about ukulele innovations like solid-body electrics or the Flea/Fluke. Or talk about koa versus mahogany or spruce wood tops. They go all glassy eyed.
I try very hard to buy local, to shop in stores in my town. But I had to get my ukes online (three through MGM), and my Fluke through another seller. I can vouch for Flukes as a fun, durable and good-sounding instrument.