Garn,
I am a Commercial Driver and not even remotely close to an Engineer. But I do work in Canada and we are definately short. The pay keeps getting better from what I hear. While the debate in my country regarding the hiring of foreign pilots (especially 0-600 hrs PIC) is quite hot I haven't seen that side of things with the hiring of Engineers. Good helicopter field engineers are, as I've said, in high demand. And there are openings in some of the schools here. The hours are long but if you can find a Director of Maintenance that will show you a few tricks while you work those long hours it will make all the difference.
Good luck sir
Good on ya for wanting to fix em rather than fly them.
BWB