Dunno if available in Canada but in Europe the RYA training has become a de facto standard. Most rental companies will rent you a boat if one personal has the day skipper and the other the competent crew.
I have done them myself up to costal skipper sail because that's what they require in Spain. That was before I got my own boat ๐ It's a solid preparation.
Only drawbacks: quite military-type education and expensive. But if you can put up with that, worth it.
@Microplastics101 @kboyd @sailing
By all means, learn to sail without the toys.
Not only is it way more fun, but at least if the said toys fail you're not up the legendary creek with or without a paddle...
I still do everything by hand, and then double check with modern equipment for safety. Keeps the little grey cells active ๐