As a non gun owner and a bare understander, wouldn't I want a good non-AR15 looking long gun anyway?

Genuinely it is personal preference, some folks like their guns to have wood stocks and forends whereas others prefer polymer and or aluminium/steel, most wood stocks and forends don't include MLOK slots or Picatinny rails for accessory mounting so sometimes polymer/aluminium/steel is your only choice.

It's also worth mentioning upkeep on Wood, Steel and Aluminium matters to prevent rust and or mold/rot, the overall weight of the firearm also plays a big role in peoples decision making.

It's also a good reminder that firearms, ammunition and accessories are certainly not cheap, most people after getting their PAL usually purchase a safe or locker which can range from $200-5000, my Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotgun costed me close to 2k (CAD) a couple years ago, a single box of 20pc 2-3/4” '00 Buckshot (Double Wad Buckshot) nearly $30-40 depending on the brand and a decent flashlight and mount was another $200. Everyone has a budget is essentially where i am getting at.

Politically speaking on the other hand, folks are worried to purchase new firearms, while the Firearms Reference Table isn't a legal document the RCMP treats it as it is and has suddenly reclassified certain Non-Restricted firearms as Prohibited (Direct YT Link) without giving firearms owners any notice.

Would that qualify as assault-style rifle?

I honestly can't tell you, an "Assault Style Firearm" still has no defintion and given that these bans have been all over the place ranging from single-shot rifles to Hot-Pink GSG 16's nobody knows when this will truly get defined.