In the backcountry of AB and B.C. A lot of skiers and hikers use VHF radios which have been programmed for National park frequencies as well as most Back country Lodges.The radios are really Ham radios so unless one has a Ham licence are illegal.
In case of emergency however Parks, helicopter company nor S.A.R.is not going to question how you communicated with them. For person to person contact we will use a frequency of a staton that is not within range.
These radios are not like FRS/CB radios with fixed frequencies, One has to have them preprogrammed. For personal use, on a wilderness canoe trip where there are few used frequencies this shouldnt be a problem. If you paddle in an area where Parks does have radios and repeaters it would be good to have their Frequncies programmed in.
I also have Marine VHF handhelds with preprogramed Frequencies ie 1,2,3 etc. They do require a licence to use but the test is easy. Mine are H2Oproof and float so would be good on a canoe trip.
All these options work on line of site. Power ranges are from 0.5W to 8W
Most have Liion batteries with varying operating times. One of my VHF radios has an optional AAA battery pack.
Search for radios will give you pretty cheap pricing 2 for $99.
https://baofengradio.ca/marine VHF are more $$.
Hugh