Best masters in econ? Coming from 2nd tier Canada? My chances? Help!

Hello WSO-ers,

So here's the run-down:

- Final year at a second-tier Canadian school (yeah, so basically a non-target, though still a large fairly well-known university in the group of thirteen). Not ALL hope is lost...I think...

- Studying Econ and Poli Sci (yeah.....don't mention it) joint honours.

- GPA 7.7/10 (between B+ and A-..f****d up first year due to too much partying, though brought my average up significantly since then (and will continue to do so). Lots of scholarships entering, though, including prestigious national ones. Decent ECs.

- CFA level 1 candidate (write in dec...think I have a good chance of getting it).

- Want to be a BB trader/Analyst in the US (yeah, I know, who doesn't? But I surprisingly am open to the down-trodden 'Equities in Dallas' (or elsewhere, though prefer the east coast) if need be and not necessarily NYC...cost of living is so cheap).

- Thinking of upgrading an getting a one-year terminal masters in Europe (Barcelona econ (or fin), lse econ (quite a stretch, but some decent internships in the public sector and economic consulting in the private), maybe Imperial ESB) or Canada (Mcgill MA Econ, Queens, Western MFE) or the US (Cornell MAE).

- Want to go into S&T specifically (trading), though I hear it's increasingly quantitative and Volcker/Obama messed things up a bit and the industry is declining. Seems more attractive than slaving for minimum wage as an analyst, though I'll do what I gotta do (open to IB).

- Thoughts on best way to break into the US in my particular case? (yeah, I know this shit has been beaten up in the forum, I've taken in some generic advice, but looking for some fresh perspectives)? Was thinking McGill MA econ (my gf is there, I could get a masters for $3000 through a legal loophole, best rep, but the faculty is absolute shit..though i think i could get good grades there). Queens I heard has excellent placements...but I haven't found ANY information about McGill and seems more competitive. Imperial could pigeonhole me into staying in expensive london (not that well known in fin/econ/bus) but apparently it's a target there. Wouldn't want to get stuck there for the rest of my career since it's not that well known outside the UK, it seems. Western MFE is an option though I'm just ok at math..and London, Ontairo. LSE masters of econ/Cornell MAE are ideal but Cornell would be hella expensive.

- Oh, and planning to do an MBA in the US after. The masters is just to leverage my application for later.

ANY advice? Anyone know anything about McGill MASTERS of econ placements? Do they have the same opportunities as undergrad? ANY advice from our friends down south? (best opportunities coming from Canada?)? Trolling? Witty remarks? ANYTHING (preferably helpful).

Thanks!