Unfortunately the Canadian aviation industry isn't something to be bragging about right now either. Take a look at the regional market where it's starting to look more and more like the US every day, you have multiple carriers trying to undercut one another and of course going to the lowest bidder. If he's flying a 1900 in Canada, then there's a good chance it's for one of Air Canada's Tier III carriers, that start their pilots at $27k a yr (no typo).
And if he does go to the legacy carrier in Canada, or the Titanic in other terms, it's $39k to start. And that's to live in Toronto, it's not Hong Kong, but still, expensive non the less. Big red posted a loss of $236 million over the first 3 quarters of 2011 and it's a matter of time before they file for bankruptcy once again, most likely in a few years when the pension fund needs topping off.
So there's his choices, stay in Canada making $30k a yr flying for the regionals, in hopes of getting that job that starts at $39k a yr for a carrier with an uncertain future or continue to peruse CX. I'm not saying to choose one over the other, but it's not a bed of roses here in Canada either.