Mepis is a cool distro - glad you like it!
That's the tough thing about switching, you're stuck with the gear you have and can't just start with hardware that supports Linux....
Luckily Stylus Toolbox -
http://stylus-toolbox.sourceforge.net/ - drives my Epson Stylus Photo R200 very nicely.
I don't have a Canon printer, so I've never looked for drivers.
There's a Canon subgroup on the mepis org forums -
http://www.mepis.org/forum/107 - have a look there or ask, they're always very helpful .
There's also a good Mepis forum on LinuxQuestions.org -
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/f64 - where you could look/ask.
Contrary to some perceptions, Linux people are normally extremely helpful if you're polite and it seems like you've made an effort to solve your problem yourself. It's a community, after all.
At the moment Canon provide drivers for the iP2200-iP4200 and iP1000-iP1500 PIXMA series only -
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/software/linux/
Drivers for multifunction scanner/printer/copier machines are in general much harder to find.
Canon has a page at -
http://www.canon-europe.com/Support/...gistration.asp - where you can register to request support for your printer. Even if you don't get it, at least they know that people want it. It's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil!
In the end, the driver problem will only be resolved if we can show manufacturers that there is a demand for Linux drivers, and that providing them will sell more of their hardware $$$.
I start with the helpdesk and if this doesn't work (occasionally they can be really helpful!), write or email the most senior people in the company with an explanation and polite request. Someday you'll strike gold (they'll wake up and produce a driver) so you'll benefit other users as well as yourself.
Mac
PS: Linuxprinting.org -
http://www.freestandards.org/en/OpenPrinting - have a huge database with lots of tips and guides