Storlax i think you'll be relieved at the little work involved...you'll have to do an IR ride at the very least, but there's no compulsory 15 hours flying before it can be taken etc unlike with JAA, and for the ATPL there's 3 papers (and no, unlike JAA you don't have to shell out $6000 for an "approved" distance learning course!) Just adding to the list of reasons on why i moved here from England to train to fly and now i'm staying! However, i don't know if you have work lined up but it's VERY different in Canada, with 600 hours you'll be lucky to get work on a light twin, very lucky if you get onto a KingAir, regardless of a self-funded type rating or MCC. The great thing about Canadian aviation is one has to work their way up to an airline job, and there's no rich kids "buying" themselves a jet job with 200 hrs like back home!
Best of luck