The requirements in Alaska and Canada are pretty different. Canada its 7 hours and an instructor sign-off. Alaska no minimums but a GFT.
Pretty similar however is the near impossibility of solo hire.
I've just come back from a 15 hour course with Parallel Aviation in Victoria and Campbell River last week. Parallel will solo hire only for their professional 50 hour course. I think you'll find Air Hart no longer solo hire due to an accident last year. Shaun Stewart who used to solo hire and train out of Victoria lost his aircraft to a student or hirer and is no longer in business.
So the situation in BC is not very good - however in doing the 15 hour course I didn't find the restriction much of an issue. The scenery and ability to land in some amazing places more than makes up for it. Training at an inland site is fine - but landing in the sea amongst the Discovery islands is something that crowns all the flying I've done. It is just more fun and a greater overall buzz than anything legal deserves to be!
Drop me a line if you're interested.