So now that I've had some time to process (and freak out) from my trip to Toronto I thought it might be helpful to put out some new advice about immigrating:
Banking:
Banking is very different in Canada from the U.S. Every bank (with the exception of a few private ones) will charge you a monthly fee to use their services, and they won't waive it if you get direct deposit. In addition, they have a different type of debit system then we do - most places use Interac whereas we use VISA...so your Debit Card doesn't look like a Credit Card.
You don't need a SIN number to get a bank account but you do need your landing documents and Passport Visa showing that you can legally reside in Canada (even though you haven't landed yet.) I was able to enter Canada this last time on my birth certificate and ID, which bypassed me needing to show my passport which would have required me to land. This is all going to change January 1, 2007 when all airline U.S. passengers entering Canada will need a passport, and on January 1, 2008 when all U.S. land border crossings will require a passport too.
If you have the time, means and ability I advise you go and open up an account at a Canadian Bank before you land. Bring a friend with you who will allow you to use their Canadian address (they have to show proof of address.) I opened a chequeing, savings and U.S. Dollar Account using Bob & Geoff's address. The U.S. Dollar Account will be helpful in allowing me to pay my student loan in the States and the one credit card I'm keeping in order to keep my U.S. Credit active.
The other benefit of the U.S. Dollar Account and in opening up a bank account in Canada is the fact that I will now be able to do a wire transfer from my U.S. Credit Union directly into my Canadian U.S. Dollar Account before we leave. No need to carry big wads of cash over the border, and I'll have access to the money right away once we land.
Finally, one difference in culture between the U.S. and Canada is online banking. At least in Colorado, we are still very big on writing checks for bills and purchases, and on-line banking is not very friendly or secure. Canada on the other hand has embraced on-line banking - Bob showed me how he could even pay his rent on-line. Perhaps it's because of the fees the accounts charge per transaction and on-line banking is fast, simple and free, but Canada is leaps and bounds ahead of us.

