The advice on Kool Stop pads is a very good one. Especially the Salmon pads.
But do you have steel rims or aluminium rims? Steel rims brake well in good weather, but not in rain or snow. If you have steel rims, get aluminium rims ASAP.
One quick and relatively cheap solution would be to buy a used front wheel. If you are in Montréal, visit Bicycletterie J.R. on Rachel Street, as they often have good deals on such wheels.
Regards,