Unfortunately Spiff, I can't address your specific questions with any degreee of accuracy, but I am able to wish you good luck in your exploration. Canada is a wonderful place .... especially the west in Alberta or Saskatchewan. That's where the opportunity is these days. The east is in economic decline relative to the west, and as will often happen in tough times, portions of the populace inappropriately turn to socialism and class envy to solve their problems.
There is a long-term oversupply of pilots in Canada, which breeds a degree of "Anti-Immigrant Pilot" equivalent of racism. It won't be long before you're exposed to them if you go over to the active Canadian Aviation forum at
AvCanada ::: Welcome :::
Don't be put off by them. Some seemingly feel the day they obtained a Commercial Pilot Licence, they are entitled to a guranteed job, and their life-long progression through the industry should be governed by the seniority of their licence number.
This country was built by, and continues to be enhanced by, creative, resilient people with ambition and resolve.
Regards,
The Old Fogducker