I can't say for Canada nor for US, but over here, when I was getting my Canyon mtb, I paid about 5000eur for it. Similarly equipped Specialized would be in range of 8-9000eur. Not 500eur more, but more like 3000-4000eur more.
As far as service goes, I really don't see any problems with this. When you buy Specialized, you don't get service from Specialized but from LBS. And any normal LBS will service Specialized or Trek or Canyon. Afterall, normally you are actually servicing Shimano or Sram equipment, not Specialized or Canyon frame. But in case if you have issues with frame itself, I have super good experience with Canyon, where frame replacement was done in less then 3 weeks, while standard time to do same, if you are lucky, and Specialized maybe decides they will respect warranty and change it, is, at least over here somewhere between 8 and 12 months. So personally I don't see any benefit of getting bike in LBS vs. direct sale. If any, then it's actually plus on direct sale side, as for issues you are dealing with company directly, not with LBS, who is dealing with national importer (if they are lucky), who is dealing with Specialized EU, who is dealing with Specialized HQ.
But regardless of company, availability at the moment, at least over here in Europe, is issue with every single manufacturer. Part of it is problem with Sram, and especially Shimano, who are not able to provide enough parts, the other is that everyone and their dogs, started to ride bike during pandemic.