MEC is a pretty cool store. Within the past few years I've gotten more into camping, and adventurous type of things so I've had to go to MEC to look around. As far as I'm aware, the only MEC in Toronto and the GTA area, which is sad because you have to go all the way downtown and then some.
MEC is a two-storey shop. It's got everything from back packs, shoes, canoes, tents, hats, sleeping bags.. It's got everything you'd need to plan an outing outdoors. But expect to pay the price, it ain't cheap but they sell a lot of brand names (North face, Columbia etc - you decide on the quality).
I will have to go there again pretty soon as I'm going on a three-week adventure trip to Peru in November!! Exciting exciting!