Well, I'm not sure what's cheap and available in Canada, or your main interest, shooter or collector, so I'll ramble a bit anyhow
Assuming you want an inexpensive entry point Mauser that you can shoot, my recommendations (US bias on market values) are:
Czech VZ-24, 250-450 USD: It is a standard length Mauser of the Gewehr 98 (WWI German long barrel rifle), Kar98k lineage. Basically, it's a short rifle of the German K98k configuration, except for the straight bolt, even though it predates the K98k (other minor differences are in handguard length, sling swivel configurations and a stock disc instead of bolt takedown grommet). They are "large ring" "standard length" Mausers, and they have three lugs, like all Gew98 lineage rifles, consisting of two forward locking lugs, one safety lug in the receiver bridge at the rear. In other words, they're built like a tank. Many VZ-24s are Romanian contract rifles (two letter serial number prefix where the second letter is an "R"), they are often mismatched, often worn bores, so it's best to look at them in person to find one with deep sharp rifling.
Yugoslavian post-WWII Mausers, 250-500USD
M24/52: basically Yugoslavian refurbished VZ-24s (see above for characteristics)
M98/48, aka M98: rebuilt German-surrendered K98k short rifles. As shooters, these are likely better than RC K98ks (see below) but generally all of the German markings have been scrubbed.
M48, M48A, M48B, M48bo: these are “large ring, intermediate length” receiver short rifles. In other words the receiver length on these and hence the bolt length is shorter than the Gew98, K98k, VZ-24 "large ring, standard length" Mausers. All of the four "models" of the M48 have identical configurations except for more stamped (instead of milled) minor parts (floor plate, trigger guard) and absence of Yugoslavian crest on the receiver ring (bo model).
M24/47: Rebuilt Model 24s, which were the standard Yugoslavian Mauser going into WWII. FN contracted with Yugoslavia to build the Mauser production line at Kragujevac (Zastava). These are where the large ring, intermediate length Mausers came from, since that was the FN standard rifle (Model 24) before WWII. Essentially the same configuration as an M48 except these generally have straight bolts vs. the bent bolts of the newly built M48s.
Russian Capture (RC) K98k, 500-800 USD: After the war, Russia did a massive scale refurbishment program on the millions of surrendered/captured German K98k rifles and stored them away for a non-nuclear WWIII. They disassembled thousands at a time, threw all of the parts in the same bin, dip blued (or sometimes painted) the parts, and reassembled. They are mismatched/force-matched parts guns but they're composed of all genuine German K98k parts. Need to check the bores and probably advisable to check headspace. I think the Yugoslavians were more careful in their refurbishment program to make good shootable rifles. Some have scrubbed the Waffenamt and Eagle markings, some have not. Generally, but not always, have a crossed rifles (X) marking on the receiver ring, shellacked stocks, serial number added horizontally on the left buttstock.
Swedish Mausers;
M/96 long rifle ($300-500),
M/94 cavalry carbine ($800-1200),
M/38 ($350-600) short rifle, 6.5x55mm: Small ring Mauser that is chambered for a cartridge that is a joy to shoot. Very well made beautiful Mausers. These were mostly made in Sweden by Carl Gustafs (state factory) and the purpose-built M/38s manufactured under government contract at private Husqvarna. Early M/94 (carbines) and M/96 long rifles were also made at Mauser Oberndorf. Many M/96 long rifles were later converted to M/38 configuration but retained their original straight bolts. The Husqvarna M/38s were all made with bent bolts. Husqvarna made a few M/96 long rifles ($600+). Some Swedish Mausers are Finnish Army (SA) marked and they also bring a premium.
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