As far as getting local funds in Canada, our best experience in three trips North was when we set up a bank account at home before we left with limited funds in it and an ATM card attached to the account. We could get Canadian folding money at just about any ATM. And with only limited funds in the account we were at peace with the chances of being hacked or the card lost/stolen. We could also replenish the account electronically if needed from other another account. Caution, don't do this or conduct electronic banking unless you have a secure VPN path over which to do it. Using a public wifi without a VPN or other security is risky.
Mike