Provinces in Canada all have different systems. Quebec has a "no fault" system of insurance. Hence what is referred above as an annual tax also comprises a full liability insurance (not damage insurance that you have to get from a private insurance firm). It covers health care ++ should you hurt (or kill) someone, other driver, pedestrian, passenger... The cost of this compulsory insurance is set against the size of the engine and type of motorcycle (sport bikes cost +/-triple). It's valid across Canada (and the United States - with some restrictions if I understand well). The expiry date appears on the registration document. So if you take your vehicle out of the country, even for an extended period of time like I did for two bikes, you nonetheless have to pay on a yearly basis to keep the registration valid, which is not required if you register the vehicle in another country.

Here's the trick: There are road registration and off-road registration for a fraction of the costs (currently CAD 73/yr compared to CAD 600 e.g. for a KTM 690R). You can register any motorcycle as off-road, the license plates number then starts with a letter instead and you get a registration paper for the year not mentioning anywhere on it that the vehicle is strictly for off-road use. You pay online and the renewed registration is mailed to your permanent address in Canada. So you can carry a valid registration at all time for a little money.

Holders of Quebec drivers' licences also pay an insurance premium included in the yearly licensing cost. That insurance covers -- worldwide -- for emergency in case of an accident, health costs, rehab after an accident, death fees, body repatriation and a lump sum in case of permanent impairment. It' a good but costly system.