I'd like to change somewhat one of the the replies.
The fact of having Canadian residency does change the visa requirements you would normally have. For example, my Chinese wife, travelling under a Chinese passport, would normally require a consular visa to visit Costa Rica. But with Canadian residency, or any Canada visa valid for 6+ months for that matter, she would be able to travel to Costa Rica witho9ut getting a consular visa, and woudl receive an automatic 30-day visitor's visa at the border.
So, having a Canadian visa in your passport may well change the "normal" visa requirements of countries you are passing through.
WHat I DON'T know is whether the initial visa stamped in your passport creates the change, or only the permanent residence card that you receive after entering Canada.
First step in research woudl be to go to this website. http://skyteam.com/about/travelhelp/travelinfo.html
Second step would be to ask the embassy of each foreign country for verification.