You only need a "sponsor" for permanent residence, and pilots are on the list (you get fifteen points). However, unless you get the visamentioned above you will need someone to offer you a job and make an application in their local HR office confirming that no Canadians are available, having made all efforts to get one.
I can recommend Bighorn in Springbank near Calgary for your conversion, but there are many schools that are as good as each other You can get study material for the exams
here . Wouldn't bother with IFR unless you are staying for more than a year or so
Good luck!
Phil