I concur with the above - try avcanada forums.
With respect to the degree, you don't need one to fly airplanes. Many airlines request or require pilots to have degrees, and you never know how that will shift in ten years when you have 3000 plus hours and looking for that airline job. If all you want to do is fly helicopters, I doubt any of them will give any preference to candidates with degrees.
On the other hand, a degree will give you a backup in case you are unable to crack the industry. There could be medical reasons that crop up from out of nowhere, or you can lose that love for flying altogether. It happens more often than you think.
Finally, start as soon as you can! Get the PPL out of the way before you go to university if you decide to do that. At least that will be out of the way, and you can then take friends and family up flying and build your time accordingly. Then you'll be 21 or 22 with a degree and CPL and you'll be golden.
Good luck!