If you are close to a MEC, they also offer some tremendous value for money.
Based on your riding conditions and experience, a "performance hybrid" might fit the bill - these offer a more stable and upright position than road bikes, and will typically allow for wider tires, fenders and racks (if desired). All this without sacrificing much of the sportiness of road bikes.
In this domain, there are many, many options.
I purchased the "
hold steady" for my wife last summer, and she absolutely loves it. It is a truly impressive bike and is a great value for money. The "
desire" model is quite similar, without the disc brakes and a slightly lower spec (but by no means low quality) at a more reasonable price.
Either of these bikes would suit your needs quite well, and would offer the benefit of being very low maintenance, and super easy operation.
Equivalent bikes would be the
Brodie Ocho and the Rocky Mountain
Metropolis or
Sherpa are nice options
Outside of performance hybrids, the cyclocross options (as mentioned in other posts) might work as well, if not better, for you. MEC has a number of very nice CX bikes at very reasonable prices.
The previously mentioned Konas and Surly's are also very nice options, but you'll pay a bit of a premium in Canada for those compared to equivalent Canadian bikes.