-you mention canadian tire so I assume you are in Canada: If you live in Ontario and within driving distance of the GTA then plan a trip next weekend to the Creativ Festival. All the best sewing machine brands are there and all have lots of machines on display to test, try, and buy. All are "show priced" which is at minimum 20% lower than shop prices and you can sometimes wheel and deal for a better price. Look at Janome, Husqvarna, Pfaff, Bernina and Juki. You can try all the brands in one place and compare "apples to apples" machines. Those are all reliable brands with consistently good products and machines. If you are in the market for an industrial then make tracks to the singer people -these guys have everything and then some for anyone whose business includes sewing. Babylock is more about embroidery these days and Brother is for hobbyist -plus the machines have a few quality issues that are being worked out. I buy my machines at these large trade shows and I always get a good deal (I have more than one -okay, I have a whole bunch. and it doesn't matter what ANYONE says 15 machines is not too many.)
If you aren't in the area then stop looking at stores that sell groceries, ladders, tires, and underwear -you won't find good machines at any of those places. Shop at a a sewing machine store. They are specialists and know their product -the kid in Canadian Tire stocking the shelves with Christmas lights doesn't. -a dealer can help you pick the correct machine for your purposes, offer lessons on how to properly use your new machine, tools and optional accessories for your specific machine and offer factory trained and authorized service and repairs. Take samples of the fabrics you want to sew with you to a dealer to help you select the best machine for your needs.
One caveat: "tough fabrics" most domestics can handle denim, garment weight leather, some light awnings, some lighter canvas and ducks, and light upholstery using a longer stitch length and thicker, heavyweight needles. They aren't designed for heavy upholstery, glue sized and and hard coated upholstery weight, luggage, heavy tarpaulin, waxed fabrics, handbag leather, bonded upholstery leather and many vinyl and coated fabrics. These heavyweights do require more torque and a different gear set up that what is found in home machines.