What did it cost you for that scanner at Costco? The SnapScan is the model of choice for paperless lawyers and other professionals looking to do away with the scourge of paper records. I really want one.
As far as the legal effect of electronic document, have a look at the Electronic Transactions Act:
http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/sta...1-c-e-5.5.html It is an attempt to give clear legal effect to electronic documents when certain conditions are met. There are exceptions to the application of the Act and, like any good piece of legislation, the provisions are open to interpretation in a lot of cases.