You can get the PPL much easier. All you have to do is write the PSTAR, it is like a pre solo type exam. You can write it at a flight school or at TC. There will be 50 questions and they are pulled out of a 200 question study guide. The study guide is online and includes the 4 possible answers. The questions and answers are copied word for word.
With this and your "foreign" licence and proof of recent experience, you will get a PPL with a statement on it that reads something like "based on foreign licence #....." . To remove the statement, do a written and a flight test.
Oh yea, you do need a Canadaian Medical as well.