Not an air canada pilot but I have worked for their feeders on two occasion separated by years in between. So this information does get around, even within the non air canada group of personnel. Hope an air canada pilot will give you more information.
Airline pilot central website may provide useful if you have not gone there yet.
The first 4 years of salary start at 50000 and end at 80000. Then you go onto what is termed formula pay. I can't remember the F/O salaries right now, but Captain pay ranges from 155000 for an embraer to 300000 for a 777. An 320 Captain makes about 200000, maybe a bit more. My guess at F/O salaries, once off of the 4 year flat pay, would be about 140000 for an A320 and 200000 for a 777 F/O, but again, that is just a very crude guess. If you become captain before 4 years, the flat 50-80000 no longer applies.
Upgrades; since things are booming right now, I have heard of newhires getting Captain seats within 3 years. Everything is based on seniority, and seniority only.
I have never heard of any complaints about schedules, with the exception of the embraers. Apparently, life is hard on the embraer.
You get a pension, but the pension scheme is nowhere as good as it used to be. Having said that, my guess is that you will stillget at least 100000, and probably more, after least 20 years of service. Less service, less pension, more service, more pension, of course.
Because of present circumstances, your first job could be anywhere from 330/777/787 relief pilot, or anywhere from embraer F/O to 330 or 787 F/O. No direct entry captains for the moment.
I understand that personnel hiring is 80% from their feeder airlines, so 20% are hired from the non air canada feeder ''outside'' world.
I never hear any complaint from air canada pilots about their jobs.
Hope this helps.