Cantilever or caliper brakes? If they really are cantilever then perhaps switch over to V brakes and go for the XT all in one pods.
Otherwise if you want to keep the cantis or they are actually sidepull calipers then I'd suggest Avid Speedial levers and just screw the ball end shuttle all the way in so that the cable pull is compatible with the cantis or calipers. From there a set of XT rapid fire pods and yer done.