Jimi2,
The airlines I called said that passport needs to be valid for 6 months. However if you go to star alliance site http://www.staralliance.com/en/services/visa-and-health/ and input your information it gives the details whether Canada requires the passport to be valid for 6 months or not. It also gives information on whether the connecting destinations require you to have a transit visa.
Once you have this data printed out, and you feel everything is in order just go to your travel agent or airline booking office and talk to them.