Toronto is a whole different place than where we lived. Even today the comparison between the two would be vastly different.

Which brings up another point ... I suspect that circumstances (be it the amount you get paid, how companies are run, whether tax is deducted or whether you are considered self-employed, etc. etc.) varies widely with the location.

The OP is from Sweden. If I'm not mistaken Sweden is even more socialist than Canada so there could be a whole bunch of extra rules and regs regarding employment in general.