Does Canada have harbor frieght?
Id second the 9x19 or the 8x12 lathes they have for what you describe. If when you decide to build your garage you can always buy a larger one and use the smaller lathe for dedicated service.
If thats not an option, you should try micro-mark. Its a highly modified mini lathe and has rave reviews by its users.
Tools and Supplies for Building Scale Models | Micro-Mark: The Small Tool Specialists