This is an excellent video demonstrating how to use Winlink peer to peer with a VARA connection. It covers some of the fine points of peer to peer connections. Winlink is notorious for the challenges one faces using it to connect to Winlink nodes via RF. Peer to Peer connections may offer a better option when possible.
Some years ago when I was active with Dufferin ARES in Orangeville, myself and Wayne Maclean VE3WWM conducted extensive trials of Winlink. We used AX.25 (VARA didn't exist back then) and Windows laptops. The only way we could get Winlink to work consistently was P2P.
BTW, I have been in contact with a local ham who has successfully gotten Winlink to work on Raspbian using the Pat client so there is hope for us Linux users.
I would be interested to know what the actual cost of one station complete and working in CDN$.
One can assume that the 2 meter rig and computer is already purchased. What else is needed?