Have you ever considered getting shoes custom made?

I'm buying Vivo Barefoot now. The boots I bought are leather and therefore water proof up to the bottom of the ankle where the tounge separates from the boot. Have stood in a stream just over the top of the toe, did not get wet. Inside in flat as far as I can tell.
Model: Tracker Leather AT II Mens Bracken

I like Xero sandals, the soles are made from reused tyres and are as close to BIFL as you get (going on a decade for my first pair (had to sew up the uppers but soles are still good). However zero drop boots are rare and sandals are likely not the thing for Toronto. You probably want to be searching on 'welted', 'resoleable', etc. You might look at Hanwag who seem (still a moving target, bloody enshittifacation) to still build good boots, but not zero drop, just low. Truth said, actually looking for a good local bootmaker is likely worth your time (and money) for something this specific. Footwear is never BIFL, but if made appropriately can be repaired in due course.

https://www.lemsshoes.com/products/mens-boulder-boot-grip-waterproof?variant=40061965631546&amp%3Bcountry=US

lems has a couple waterproof boots, this is just one i had before they had a waterproof version. going strong for probably about 8 years now.

Have you tried Birkenstocks?

This style in particular seems like something that might check your boxes

They have wide toe boxes (similar to what you'd get with barefoot shoes), are good sturdy quality and usually repairable too. Some of them are offered in both "narrow" and "wide" sizes, which might make finding the perfect fit a bit easier?

They might not all be categorized as "waterproof" but you can easily wax or otherwise coat them with waterproofing. I wear (leather) blundstone Chelsea boots all winter and they keep my feet dry, so I expect Birks would do the same.

They may not be bifl, and not very water proof. But they are damn comfortable. I buy my wife a pair every 3-4 years she absolutely loves how they feel and gets pumped for the cold weather to pull those out.

Look for other producers that don't sell LH and RH, but a single shape, that's what Manitobah's is. They don't have the traditional "handed" shape, but you could put either boot on either foot