I'm in Ontario as well, and this is what works here (Done it three times). You can try and track down the last registered owner, sometimes it works sometimes not. The easiest way is to write up an affidavit, It basically says who you are, who you bought it from, a description of the machine with VIN and the purchase price. Take that to a lawyer or notary public and have them sign it and take that affidavit and the bill of sale to the MTO and you get a new ownership in your name.
It basically tells them that you bought it legally from previous owner with a broken paper trail.
I find it completely mind boggling that anyone would buy a machine and not want a title or ownership for it in their name, That's one of the first things I do is get it into my name. All you need is some A-hole to sell you something and then it gets reported as stolen after the reciept date. Your out the $$ and the machine and more $$ fighting to prove it's yours and you didn't steal it when its such a small price to pay to be sure.
My Rides
1985 250R original (Garage Queen)
-under restoration
1985 250R black and blue full rebuild ( Daily Rider)
-Paul Turner pipe
-+2" Westcoast
1985 Red and White Tecat-EH Sold
1985 Green Tecate Sold
My Wife's Ride
-2003 Suzuki LTZ 400 Showroom fresh and completely stock
My Kids Ride
-2004 Yamaha Blaster, Completely Stock
-2006 Yamaha Blaster, Completely Stock