It really depends, as many have said it here, you could hit it at the right time and spend only a couple of years at the regional level and then go to a major, or you could get stuck at the regional level for 7-8 years before you see the right seat of a major.

Two things to consider which no one has mentioned is the fact that things do work a bit different in Canadia, and the fact that now a days is who you know not what you know, if you don't believe me, ask anyone at CAL how many regional f/o's with zero PIC they hired between 05 and 07.

My suggestion, is network as much as you can, in this industry it seems that it breaks down to 25% skill, 25% timing, 50% who you know and luck....

Best of luck.