Best bet would be to find a pipe band nearby and talk with someone in the band about those things.

A band would help in many ways (lessons, answering questions, etc). And, if you play with the band, it would help knowing/having the same/similar equipment if you stick with them.



Aside from that, I'm not much help, as I have no idea what the local piping world is like in Toronto, but I do wish you the best of luck! I'm young in my piping career as well (not yet on the pipes), but it's been exciting so far, so I hope you get to share in that!