Even the US is now feeling the effects of the pilot shortage
American Eagle, and Republic, both VERY large "regional" airlines, have been offering $5K signing bonuses, due to a lack of new hire pilots. Republic has been rumoured to be considering a $20K signing bonus, and AAEagle just upped their signing bonus to $10K.
The US has a new rule, effective 1 AUG 2013, that will require a PIC ATP (full ATP, NOT like a frozen ATPL) to be a Captain OR a First Officer of a -121 airliner (UAL/DAL/CAL and all the regionals, such as Eagle, SkyWest and Republic are -121). So, as of 1 Aug, unless you have an ATP, which for now means 1500 hours total time, you are done flying for any -121 carrier.