PPL is a pre requisite to CPL....
At least in Canada its is...you cant become a Commercial Pilot without being a Private one first.
Train for your Pilots Licence where it best suits you! and where your finances allow.
If you would like to know about trainning in the Canadian Prairies let me know and I will give you as much info as I can.
Where I trainned at CYBW there was a Brit fellow and the reason he was here was obvious...savings over Europe and also weather.
Cheers