It could very easily be a bobcat as they seem to be doing an excellent job of colonizing Canada! However there are no bobcats that are gray with tabby stripes. They are all beige or brown with distinctive spots. Your pussy cat was likely a large domestic cat, and yes I have seen some near bobcat size.

Yes they are getting more common and breeding in Canada.

You could notify your local fish and wildlife association who may be keeping track of lynx appearances.

The rules vary greatly between provinces, and they are the ones that set the laws. You can’t hunt lynx in the Maritimes. In other provinces there is quota system for trapping them and there may be different hunting laws in different areas for each province. Bobcats, to my knowledge can be hunted across Canada.

I was just wondering if bobcats and lynxes still aren’t protected under hunting regulations? That is, people can still hunt them? 🙁

The bobcat population in Calgary is growing rapidly, judging by the number of sightings in the last year or so. They are often seen in the NW, SW, and parts of SE near the rivers and Fish Creek Park. They will likely spread to the NE soon, if they’re not there already. They are no threat to humans of any size and are going a wonderful job of keeping our mice and squirrel populations under control!