Hey fellow Canadian! I hope some of this helps.
01) There is apparently a really good audio engineering school in Quebec, though the name does elude me, and Quebec has a really happening music scene. Before you go though you should have a thorough discussion with your health care provider, OHIP I believe it is for you, so you can understand how health care works in Quebec if you're from another province attending school there. It's a little wacky.
02) There is a really good audio engineering school in Vancouver, though the name eludes me as well. The West coast music scene isn't quite as happening as in Quebec, but the weather is beautiful here. Additionally after going to school in Vancouver you could go to UVic, in Victoria (the most beautiful city in Canada if you ask me), where they have an electronic music course that involves using a Buchla synthesizer (a 200 series modular I believe).
03) It doesn't really matter where you're located, though some places make it easier than others. If you got the talent and the drive, and you're willing to put in the time to really perfect your skills, you'll do well wherever you are.
04)
Protect your ears. They're your greatest asset. Buy earplugs, carry them with you wherever you go, and wear them when you're in a situation involving loud noise (such as going to a club, concert, etc.).
05) It's already been said but is worth repeating: learn to play an instrument.
06) Learn a little music theory with the
Complete Idiots Guide Music Theory.
07) If your compositions develop further give the
HarperCollins College Outline for Music Theory a read.
08)
Rick Snowman's Dance Music Manual contains tons of useful information for anyone wanting to work with electronic music.
09)
Sound Studio Production Techniques, though no longer in print and only available used (I believe), is a great place for anybody to start as it covers a little bit of everything, even good habits to have when working in a studio environment or live.
10) Your ears are your greatest asset in the world of music, and
Critical Listening Skills For Audio Professionals will certainly help you develop them.
11) You'll probably start working in a small studio, perhaps even a home studio, and the
S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Recording Great Audio Tracks in a Small Studio is really quite handy when you're working with limited gear.
12) The
S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Mixing And Mastering Audio Recordings is really quite useful for a beginner to learn audio enigeering techniques.
13) The
S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Mixers, Signal Processors, Microphones, and More is a pretty good book to gain a decent understanding of general and specific knowledge about the gear you'll be using.
14) Always have a copy of
Modern Recording Techniques available for reference when you really start to get in to it. I'm willing to bet this book is used as
the textbook at most audio engineering schools, as it's quite thorough and full of information, though it can be an overwhelming read if you haven't developed a solid basic understanding of audio engineering first.
15) When you're ready to understand the mathematical point-of-view, as it is a ridiculously useful point-of-view to be able to utilize, check out
Theory and Problems of Acoustics.
16) If you can find a studio or audio engineering that's willing to show you the ropes, perhaps in exchange for some menial tasks around the studio, that will provide you with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
17) Listen to as much music as possible -- even music from genres you don't want to work with or may even dislike. Seriously, listen to everything you can find or get your hands on, especially music that is considered in high regard for it's specific genre.
18) Have fun.