What about just removing the canister? I get a gas smell sometimes and everyone tells me that its the canister. Pros? Cons? etc...

You can remove the charcoal, there arent any real cons I would suggest however keeping the vaccum lines connected, as in getting a trhough link to keep them connected. The purpose of a charcoal canister is to absorb the gas fumes and keep them evaporating into the air. Really its up to you.