Question - Is CCIE the new CCNA in Canada?

Probably very specific to Canada, and particularly the Greater Toronto area, but I was speaking to a friend the other day. He has a CCIE and has worked in the GTA for about a decade. I was going on about how I should finally bite the bullet and get a CCNA.

His response was to forget it, to even get into a decent entry level position takes a CCIE. That's one opinion, I just wanted to get a feel of how desperate things are in Toronto for CCENT/CCNAs in the GTA or Canada.

I know the job market here is poor even at the best of times, but I would have thought the CCNA still held some sway.

Any experiences from the GTA or Canada to share?