Calling all Canadians

I am loosing all hope with the UK and Europe. If this Paris job doesn't pull through I will have to look at other options. The US is too hard - too much unemployment -, Australia is too far away, Asia is too scary. I'm thinking about Canada, even though I can't possibly see how a person can get a job offer before getting a work permit - that's what the embassy says you have to do. I know I have a couple of Canadians on my flist, or at least people who know people who have emigrated to Canada. So talk to me. How are things in Canada? Are there any jobs? Are European nationals employable over there? Will a company actually give you a job offer without you already being in the country?