I too am not aware of any such courses in Canada, just a few in the US. The funny thing is that in the US, currently regional airlines are hiring pilots to fly 1900s, Dashs and even RJs with as low as 250 hours. While the pay is exceptionally low, they are still getting paid.
I do not know the exact realities of the industry in Europe. However, it is my understanding that there are far less entry level jobs as there are in Canada. In Canada it is difficult enough to get a job as a low time pilot and it usually requires working the ramp in some remote northern town or instructing. In Europe, I hear that those types of jobs are far more difficult to come by. However, getting an airline job seems to be significantly easier.
Looking at this reality in Europe (and other parts of the world) I do not make a judgement call on the appropriateness of 'paying for a job' for European pilots.
In Canada (and likely the US) however, this practice should not be condoned. It is difficult to get your first flying job, but it can be done. The problem with flying for free or paying for a 'job' is that the airlines who pay their pilots have to compete with airlines that don't.
The old saying is that if you want to make a small fortune in the airline industry, you should start with a big fortune! Airlines do not make tonnes of money. As it is, the entry level jobs for Canadian pilots are rather low paying. If those airlines who pay their pilots have to compete against airlines that don't pay their pilots, there will be added costs. This could eventually lead to the airline no longer being profitable.
The reasoning of the initial poster was that paying to fly means that he or she can get experience so he can get a job that pays well. However, if airlines that pay well have to lower their wages (or possibly go out of business) because they have to compete against airlines that don't pay pilots, there will be no point in having paid for your job as there will be no high paying airlines to move to.
The above is obviously an extreme example, but nonetheless, working or paying for a job is detrimental to the pilot profession as a whole.
Flying is a job. It is a career. It can be a very good career and can put food on the table. Getting hours in and of itself is not a form of payment. In my opinion, if the airline is making money off your services as a pilot, you deserve to be paid.
As stated, I do not wish to try and impose Canadian pilot 'morality' on pilots in the rest of the world, however, this is why the reaction from some was so harsh. I understand that the situation is far different in other countries and while unfortunate, this may be the necessary reality to get a job. It is too bad that is the case though. While sacrifices need to be made to succeed, paying for experience is not something that should happen.
Cheers,
James Ball