I am in Mississauga and there is
www.a1parts.com // surplus store, across from Sherway Gardens, just behind TigerDirect
www.sayal.com // several locations, one is on Matheson Blvd and Dixie
for example.
at the same place (Matheson Blvd and Dixie) there is AAA electronics, RTC electronics and while ago there was Active (gone now)
then there are online stores like Newark, Mouser, Digikey, etc. For variety of other parts or modules check futurelec.com
finally there are companies that manufacture parts, (TI, ST, Microchip etc.) and many will be happy to send occasional free sample.
samples including shipping etc are 100% free from the mentioned ones. others (Analog etc.) provide parts for example but you pay in some degree for shipping or duties.
Active was nice but expensive, could not compete with Sayal. My previous company was just around the corner and we liked convenience of getting things right away. But physical stores can't compete with online retailers when it comes to unit price or selection.