Do coffee chats and referrals really work in Canada? Do people answer cold messages?

Yes — referrals are the single most effective job-search channel in Canada. A large share of roles are filled through networks before postings get serious attention, and a referred resume usually skips the ATS pile entirely. Cold messages do get answers, but only short, specific ones: expect roughly one to three replies per ten messages when you ask for fifteen minutes of advice about their path — and near zero when you ask strangers for a job. Alumni and people from your home country in your field reply most often. Be patient and genuinely curious; it compounds.