The problem for the OP, perhaps, is if he is not in Canada on a proper work visa, getting "gainful employment" will be very tough. You must have a Social Insurance Number to get any type of job. The only option for that is "cash under the table" at a place that hires illegal workers - those exist. But the conditions aren't going to be great. Those places underpay the minimum wage and expect 6 days a week of work from you. Working 60 hours per week at $10 per hour is going to be tough work when he can, as you say, make 10X that as a Python developer...