If you are coming to Canada by yourself, you might want to consider sharing accommodation with other people. You can save a significant amount of money, both in terms of the rental fee and the cost of utilities. Additionally, sharing usually means you get a bit more space to live in than in smaller apartments.
The most important thing it to make sure you remain comfortable in your new home. Be careful when choosing roommate/s to avoid any potential complications in the future. It is also a good idea to divide duties and set rules in order to maintain adequate living conditions. A roommate that does nothing and the one that does everything are equally unhappy. If you talk and agree such things in advance, you will find it easy to deal with problems later as expectations have been set correctly.
Subletting
The are sometimes great deals out there for temporary accommodation - usually in the summer months. When some tenants (those holding a rental/lease contract) travel, some sublet their apartments for one to six months. This type of arrangement usually means a furnished flat. A sublet will usually be offered at a rate lower than the market rate for a full lease (not always, be careful!) Many foreign students arriving in summer may find this convenient. A sublet can provide a temporary solution and gives a lot more time to get orientated, comfortable and find where you want to live in the longer-term.