Hi pegusus!
And welcome to Alberta. I have a host of relatives inTexas (Houston, Beaumont areas and east to the Sabine) and can understand your concern about firearms. Once you're used to being able to use a handgun it's difficult to learn to live without them. But you can.
Actually, handguns have been restricted in Canada since the 1930s. It hasn't done a lot of good (criminals still easily find handguns), but we've learned to live with it. If grizzlies are a concern while fishing, you can always take a shotgun or bear spray is the better choice (if used correctly). For me, awareness is the best way to avoid bears. Stay out of their way or where they're apt to be and you'll be all right.
You can still own handguns and use them under certain conditions. Go to the federal
Canadian Firearms Centre for information about restricted and prohibited weapons. Start with the Fact Sheets and go from there.