The Canadian AIP has a nice diagram for joining controlled circuits which implies that ATC will be cooperative and give you a sensible place to join
If there were to be some problem with an apparent 'simple' join, ie straight in - for whatever reason - the 'Book' infers that an overhead join to mid downwind is the safe alternate for just about any spot in the circuit.
Assuming that you were lined up with 26 and the appropriate airport directory entry (CFS or local variant) said nothing to the contrary, I would have turned Right to the upwind side, crossed midfield at circuit height and turned left downwind.
Also the AIP does authorise right turns to join downwind, so I suppose it would depend on my position and heading with respect to the field at the time the call was received, and my degree of unease. In any event, I would announce my intention with respect to routing &c to the Tower for the benefit of anyone else around.
CB (flier of light metal)