Bikers! I need help chosing a bike model?

I'd go to your local bike shop and check them out there. It sounds like either a Hybrid or Trail bike is right for you. Mountain bikes can have harsh suspensions, not what you need. And knobby tires, do you need that? Not that tires are hard to change, but why no buy the bike you want as is. That's another cool thing about an actual bike shop over a big box store. You can test ride it, and know that you are going home with what you asked for. If you want to drop $400, a bike shop is where you should go. They have bikes for that or less. And by the way, do not be fooled by the fact that it looks like you get more features with the bike from Victoria Auto. What good are the features if they break on day 91 of your 90 day warranty. I have 2 Schwinns that are over 30 years old. Real Schwinns, back when they were hand made in Chicago. That's the level of quality you'll get. Trek are good, Cannondale, Raleigh look for something like that

For 400 canadian, youre better off stealing it. You will get you a good set of bolt shears for that much.

I hate to burst your bubble, but $400 Canadian is on the fringe between bad and maybe so-so. Maybe (BIG maybe) if you find a closeout sale or overstock sale you'll find good one.

Do NOT buy a bike from any discount or big mart stores like Canadian Tire. Get one from a REAL bicycle shop. Better product, better service & you can TEST RIDE bikes before the sale.

Even an "entry level" hybrid like a Giant Escape 3 is $89 above your minimum. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/bikes/model/escape.3/29144/100742/#specifications

Look on the web site below . Be aware you'll need to to some touch up work on it .
FYI : Bikers ride Harley's...

The ELECTRA Cruiser 7D Men's Black Satin
Dahon Vybe D7 Folding
Retrospec Amok 16 --- are among the bikes you may prefer----all in bikebling.com!

OK, I am using UK sites, but have a look see:

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-trail-5-2016-mountain-bike-EV239479?esvt=52838-GOUKE2060890&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-1146786-1&esvcrea=166222721751&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvo=EV239479-XL-TEAM&esvaid=50080&gclid=CMb7sea8pNECFUI8GwodDLcBcg

https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized-pitch-650b-2017-mountain-bike-EV279814?esvt=52838-GOUKE2058838&esvq=&esvadt=999999-0-1146822-1&esvcrea=166222721925&esvplace=&esvd=c&esvo=EV279814-S-BLK&esvaid=50080&gclid=CKeNx5C9pNECFVXnGwod0CsERw

Those are viable machines. They will probably pop up a bit over your budget once you do the conversion, but both are available on the American/Canadian market. The suspension and gearing should work in your favor. Not bad machines for trails and bumpy roads, but not trail center machines either. Good workhorses.

Luck

For that price you'll only get a half decent bike if it's second-hand.

Save up a little more and visit the local bike shop. A good bike for smooth trails and the road is a hybrid or comfort bike.

$400.00 or less? Good luck with that!

Sounds like you'd be a good candidate for a hybrid.
And it doesn't sound like you'd need a full-sus MTB.