I just wrote mine a few weeks ago;
You can take one of the seminar programs if you like, or conversely just read through the books and answer the sample questions. As stated above to hold a Canadian ATPL you need to write 2 (two) exams (80 questions 70% to pass) The cost is $105.00 (can) each. Personally I found them pretty straightforward, they arn't terribly difficult if you put in a few days of solid study. If you have enough hours to write the exam and allready know most of your stuff It really shouldnt take more than a week to study and write both.
To write the exams you must hold a Canadian CPL, and have 750 hours TT. After you write the exams you have 24 months from the date of the
first exam to apply for the license. To HOLD the license you need to have had a multi IFR ride within the last 12 months, as well as 1500TT (and a brake down of PIC, night XC etc.)
-For study material I would also highly recomend
Welcome to AeroCourse.com
-It also wouldnt hurt to get a paper copy of the AIM (before they stop publishing it) although it is online at:
TP 14371 - Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM)
-When studying having access to the CARS would be a big help:
Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)
-Here is a link to the study guide:
Study and Reference Guide - TP 690E
However back to the original question;
In Canada there really isn't a "Frozen" ATPL. As with all Canadian licenses you can write the pertinant exams once you have 1/2 the requierd hours, after which you have 2 years to get the other 1/2, if this lapses you have to write again. There are week-weekend long cources offered by various groups, they are very informative and you do learn a lot but there is no requierment for "formal" groundschool so you could technically get away without doing one, but I would recomend spending $60 and buying a study guide with a few hundred sample questions.
There is annother exam that can be written before 750 hours that allows one to be an FO on a two crew AC, the (IATRA) exam. This is basically a mini ATPL that can be written at 250 hours. It covers most of the same material as the ATPL but because it is combined (and not covering seperate topics in seperate exams (SAMRA/SARON) some seem to think its a bit more difficult.
Edit: Writing the SAMRA/SARON grants the same privileges as writing the IATRA even if you don't have the full 1500 yet... IE if you have 800 hours and are now looking for a job on a PA31 dont bother with the IATRA just write the ATPLs and be sure you get 700 hours in the next 2 years.
hope that helps a bit!