This is NOT a paid endorsement, I get no payment for posting this but because the above posts helped me, I wanted to help others too. That's all, true story.
I downloaded Fongo World Edition to my Android phone.
I paid the equivalent of 6 USD, using my local currency and local payment method (local bank debit card on Google pay).
I chose a Canadian number for my desired province and city.
I also prayed for help to the Blessed Mother about this as it threatened not to work at some stage.
After set-up, I called and texted myself from Skype, and another application, and it seems to be working fine.
So in under 10 minutes and less than 6 USD, I have a working Canadian number. Hopefully there are no further payments needed.
Thanks to the generous people who shared the idea.
P.S: there is also:
1. Spikko which is fast but costs about USD 3 more and needs PayPal or a credit card;
2. VoIP.ms seems much cheaper but required manual verification (photo of DL or passport) and they told me I can only pay by bank wire as other methods are not supported, and the total amount payable is unknown. It's not possible to send a wire for less than 50 usd and that's too expensive for a line