Something perhaps a *little* more helpful...
In order for North Americans to get a work permit in Spain, you first have to have a contract for 12 months or longer. These are difficult to come by, especially over email and telephone. It helps if you've got a teaching qualification (I've got a CELTA, but there are others).
Get on the plane, but not with all your belongings... just yet. Spend some time hitting the pavement, armed with your C.V. and a sharp outfit, and find a job at a school that will give you a year contract. Then go back to Canada and apply for your work permit. And THEN get on the plane.
The only other way is to do it illegally--private students, payments in cash, etc.
One thing you might think about is signing up for a CELTA course taking place in Spain. There are plenty of CELTA courses in Barcelona, I know. That way, you could get a student visa, then get your qualification, and have time in the meantime to look for work while you're in-country (although the CELTA is quite time-consuming, so don't plan on having tons of free time during the course... you'll have to manage your time effectively).
Buena suerte!
