After reading a lot of blogs and posts on various websites, it seems that finding a job in your professional field in Canada is very tough. After clearing regulations, and licensing hurdles one arrives at 0 position. A newcomer with foreign education and foreign work xp is essentially at negative position, not even zero position.
I know that Canada expects immigrants to conform to their standards, and not the other way around which is perfectly fine by me. But as an engineer (mech.), I find the situation quite bleak and haven't read about a success story so far.
You don't need to get professional designations (EIT or P.Eng) to start working in a engineering related job, it's possible to get starting positions before that, anyways without Canadian Experience you cannot get a P.Eng
Unsuccessful stories are more likely to find here, because most of successful engineers don't expend time explaining it.
There's a excellent post in this forum (I don't remember where) explaining the problems an Engineer had and how finally success and he shared with us some recommendations, basically get some training right away in Canada like a MEng in Construction management or similar.
It's hard to start from scratch, but long term if could be rewarding if you really like to be here, otherwise you won't be happy.
I came as Temporary Foreign Worker with almost 20 years of experience and had to start from a medium/basic position. I was lucky to came with job, some PR expend too much time trying to get a work at the beginning.
Of course your contacts are critical, you have to find ways to get Canadian contacts, even if they are not directly related with your area of expertise could be helpful to know the local job market.
Be ready to start from a lower position than you had before, and of course less money.
Life in Canada is expensive, so don't let your savings run out too quickly and consider that you may need to get any job at some point.
Some research about companies and provincial job markets for your area of expertise is needed.
Be ready to adapt to a totally difernte way of life and work style, you must adapt to be successful
By the way I was working with several foreign engineers greatly appreciated in his companies
