Buddies, thank You all for the help and advices!
I enlarged the opening in the canopy for the latch in a direction, opposite to the one shown in my previous photos. Now the latch goes thoroughly through the canopy. Would You recommend me to install a bolt and nut as shown by
Jeff Worsham? I would like to put a pin instead, but essentially the idea is the same. I'm wondering whether such a measure is needed or the pin will manage to hold the canopy securely on its own.
I'm also attaching a picture showing the canopy latch position before and after filing the opening.
Thank You in advance,
Nickolay