I don't think carrying more than $10k in cash will be an issue at the Canadian border. Can't speak about the country where OP will be departing from. The general rule is that you don't have to declare the amount you are carrying if it's less than 10k. However, if the amount is over $10k, it must be declared at the Canadian border. Since the OP will be landing for the first time and will have to declare all the money anyway, carrying more than 10k in cash won't be an issue. That said, it's always better not to carry so much cash for personal safety reasons. Better to bring money in the form of Cashier's Check.
Here is the official link:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5052-eng.html
Snippet from the above link:
"Under the legislation, there are no restrictions on the amount of money that you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so. However, you now have to report to a border services officer amounts equal to or greater than CAN$10,000, or its equivalent in a foreign currency that you are bringing into or taking out of Canada."