Same here in Canada.
You can carry a knife, as long as it's a utility knife, or used for cooking, or if it's some kind of sporting equipment.
If you use anything for defense, you're likely going to be getting a weapons charge.
It's idiotic if you ask me. If only criminals can carry weapons, then only criminals will ever have weapons.
IMO, nonlethal self defense equipment should be exempt from weapons laws until such time as it is used to perpetrate a crime, when it then becomes an offensive weapon and prohibited by law. (We have a similar law about knives/blades, they're not considered weapons until they're used in the commission of a crime).