I'm sorry that I can't help you with a good Canadian source for high quality low priced knives such as Forschner Rosewood. But maybe I can clear up some of the confusion which is building up.
Here in the States, Forschner represents the least amount of money you can pay for a decent quality knife. That's as true for their chef's knives as any of their other blades, although I'm not a huge fan of the German profile they use for their chef's knives and wouldn't buy one for myself.
Mercers are made in Taiwan to a medium level of fit and finish. They are thick and heavy, in the German style. Culinary schools like to sell Mercer kits to their students because the knives are adequate, the price to the student is affordable, and Mercer makes it easy for the schools to make a little something on the transaction. But don't confuse Mercers with "good" knives.
Although Mercer claims that they use a high carbon alloy, they need a special definition to use the term "high carbon." The alloy is X45CrMoV15, which is only 0.45% carbon. The trade definition of "high carbon" steel is at least 0.55%; but in Germany where they've defined it down to 0.50% because so many prestige knives are made with X50CrMoV15. Calling 0.45% chromium goes beyond "stretching it" and into "misrepresentation intent to deceive" in my opinion. In addition, Mercer doesn't do a good job of hardening its steel.
Because of the low quality alloy Mercers neither take nor hold an edge well. Thick, heavy, German profile, don't get really sharp, dull easily and they're STILL a lot of bang for the buck and significantly better than many knives you'll find in department and big-box discount stores. Personally, I'd rather use Forschner, and wouldn't buy Mercer voluntarily but that doesn't change the basic truth of "better than Walmart."
Henckels "Yellow Handles" are very similar to Forschner Fibrox -- plastic handles and all. I believe they're stamped from Henckels' proprietary alloy, Friodur. It's essentially the same thing as the X50CrMoV15 Forschner uses for all their knives. The hardening process is different, but not different enough to make a difference.
Henckels knives which have two little men ("zwillings") silk screened on the blades are made in German and are high quality. Henckels with one little man ("zwilling") are Henckels International, made all over the world -- particularly in Spain and Asia -- and are of relatively low quality. I suggest avoiding them.
You might try going to some butcher shops and asking them where they get their knives.
Finally, knives are all about sharpening. You need to acquire some basic knowledge and kit. There's no point in buying a knife you can't get or keep sharp. If you're going to use a cheap carbide sharpener, be advised that not only will they not give you a fine edge, they'll eat your knives in the process. If you're going to use a cheap-crap sharpener, restrict yourself to cheap-crap knives.
Hope this helps,
BDL