Piqueteer, in either case, should you end up leaving north America without completing an accelerated course, foreign training is accepted by both Transport and FAA. The relevant standard on the crediting of foreign experience towards the Canadian private pilot licence is at 421.26(9)(c) (
link). For US airman certificates and ratings the general rule is at 14 CFR 61.41 (navigate to title 14 at ecfr.gov).
alland2012, the declaration available to US airman certificate holders, as an alternative to a validation, has a validity period of 24 months. See ORS4 No. 1301 (pdf
link).