I don't know the Vancouver area, but this year have flown in Canada on a JAA licence.
You need to arrange to visit a local Transport Canada office, where they'll ask you to fill out a few forms, pay $45, let them photocopy your medical, passport and licence, and magically they issued me with a 1-year licence validation. The process took a little over half an hour.
Flying in Canada is a little different to the UK, but not that much really. Allow for 1-2 hours briefing on local practices, RT and geography, and the usual rental checkout, and you should be fine.
Great scenery, friendly people, and fairly inexpensive flying. You'll have fun.
G