There are many U.K. pilots (former First Choice and MY Travel) who have full Canadian ATPL's by sitting the 3 exams, having a Canadian Cat 1 Medical and then doing a ride in a sim. No airplane required for the IFR, just the sim. These pilots then worked for Skyservice for the winter. Yes the exams are tough, but then the ATPL is a full Canadian ATPL and not issued on the basis of......
Jurassic