Sorry about your uncle. Its crying shame that you (and many others) have to be put in this situation by idiotic gun laws. Especially considering that this is just an old .22 and not a freaking machine gun.
Maybe if you know someone personally with a firearms license then you can give the rifle to them to keep with the agreement that you'll take it back when you get a license?
Doesn't work like that. Gun control not only limits who may own and acquire guns, but requires that every gun in the country be registered. It's sort of like car titles: when the firearm changes hands (even being loaned), the title must also change hands.
I assume the rifle was registered to his uncle. Now it's registered to no one (except maybe the Uncle's estate). Thus, there's no one legally able to give it to someone legally allowed to own.
@Steven: I still say you apply for a PAL. It'll probably be more expensive to have the rifle rendered legally inoperable.
Even if you don't, every Provence and Territory (save Quebec) opposes the registry act and refuses to prosecute offenders.