I have a book that was published almost ten years ago called TRUE CRIME TRUE NORTH (THE GOLDEN AGE OF CANADIAN PULP MAGAZINES) by Carolyn Strange and Tina Loo. I bought it for two reasons: 1) the period it addresses is the same period as the Canadian Golden Age of Comics--both stemming from trade restrictions during WWII resulting in a publishing boom for comics and pulps in Canada--and 2) this book was on sale, unbelievably dirt cheap.
But, even though I've thumbed through it, I can't say I've read it cover to cover. The book looks good, but it tries to play too many sides. Is it a scholarly historical work--it seems to affect a certain level of scholarship--is it socio-political anaylysis--is it meant to be fun--there's lots of attempts at being funny. I lose patience with its authors pretty quick every time I pick it up.
But it does use a lot of source material from the pulps. I gather this is gleaned from the National Library of Canada which must have copies of all these pulps (as well as lots of comic books from the same time period). All of this would be PD, but it's a question of whether the National Library allows scanning its collection.
Unfortunately for Canadians, the National Library and the National Archive and a lot of other national institutions are housed in our nation's capital, Ottawa. Far away from where anybody lives. I was in Ottawa, but only for one day, last year--the first time in my life--and there were lots of things I wanted to get done, but little time to do them--so I never got to the National Library. And it was one of the coldest days I've ever felt (colder than Edmonton, where I lived for many years--because that Ottawa Valley wind goes right through your bones). No wonder our Members of Parliament have ice in their veins.
But I would guess the National Library is a good bet for finding Canadian pulps to scan--if they let you. I haven't a clue. But if there's anyone here who lives in the Ottawa-Hull region (and you have my sympathies), they might check it out.