This whole discussion, which I've participated in before, kind of reflects how immigration has changed over time. A hundred years ago it was for peasants and laborers, poor people with no connections, outcasts, refugees, etc. The basic expectation was that immigrants would eat dirt and scrabble to live. Now with its points system, Canada has made immigration a lifestyle choice, something that educated, middle-class people do for educated, middle-class reasons -- better school system, Canadian passport to travel on, stuff like that. It also contributes to a lot of pain, when people find that it's easy to immigrate but not so easy to bring one's middle-class status with them. I sympathize with the original poster, my first job in Canada was working in a grocery store, and though I believe all work is worthwhile and has dignity, I don't believe it so much that I didn't wonder what had happened to my life.
The truth is, though, it is totally possible to network and advance from a position like that. Look for contract work, look for companies that do the kind of work you want to do -- go tell them that you're getting your education validated or whatever, and ask if they have any lower-level jobs you can start at. In my opinion, having a first job like that is extremely important, it gives you an opening into Canadian society and lets you meet people, and make a little money. Some people never get that far, and spend a year or two sending out resumes on the Internet until they give up and go home, bitter.
And, if nothing works, come to Edmonton where you can make 35/hour shoveling dirt, as long as you don't have anything against frozen tundra (there are other jobs here too :-X) Good luck, and congratulations on working.