Cool; another Canuck; welcome!

My 2 cts on the L43 tranny is that it'll be okay for while the other one is being rebuilt to stick up in there, so it's up to you as to whether you want to spend the $200. I wouldn't consider it to be permanent. If you get it, double check the rubber spacers for the shifter, or you'll be shifting with a pair of vise grips. I have an IPB w/ the part number for the shifter stuff if you need one. With that being a side shift, make sure all the parts are there.

Is this a spare, or a daily driver?

You might be able to send the L45 down to www.marlincrawler.com for a rebuildable core in the meantime; check them out. I think he'll send you something out of California.