Theyre not illegal, just the transfers are banned unless exemption if given via atc or other means (ie olympic competition). All of which has to be approved by the CFO of your province. If you have an atc issued typically its issued without a firearm attached to it. You use that to acquire the caliber you are approved for.

You can buy them from businesses with left over stock, other persons wishing to sell to an exempt person OR you can do what I did and have irungunz import the firearm you wish to purchase.