I could see many speculations and experiences here. Good. This is what had been my experiences so far. (both as a interviewer and interviewee)
There are a few things a company/interviewer sees. Of those main things are Communication, Technical Skills, Whether you are a right fit for the company and is the company the right fit for you. Just having certifications or degrees DO NOT qualify and not having DO NOT disqualify a candidate. Certification is just a final ice-breaker!! (may be, i have not seen it yet)
So, when they say CANADIAN experience, the real reason is that you understand the Culture, Language and Meanings of all these. Communication is 50% verbal-language and 50% body language. People coming to Canada, should mingle with the crowd with both these. In my culture, it is bad to say No if someone offers something, while in Canada it is bad to say yes, when you should have said no. There are these subtle things that one has to learn.
These things, not necessarily will make you Canadian, but you will have a better chance to understand the real meaning when some native English speaker says, "that got bastardized" and not take it like what it would be back home. (back home the very mention of the word bastard could get you killed! but in English, the real meaning is "impure")
People who has experience in Europe (English speaking parts) or in US can get jobs easily than others. (of-course, they have to prove that they are worth it i.e communication)
Other than that, salaries, it depends on what you want. Note one more point, almost all jobs pay within a range. So don't keep hoping jobs every 2 yrs, that would prove that you will jump again, and recruiters will be reluctant.
All the Best.