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So to preface this answer, I worked breifly at BlackRock in 2016 (contractual role). I am currently in IB (M&A Associate), so hopefully this clears things up.
Getting to it, I always describe front office as the roles directly engaged in a firms core business (PM would definitely fit the bill in case of AM). Im not sure what exactly you mean by the investment team (Investment intelligence? Trade Execution?) But the majority can be classified in middle office in BlackRock's case.
However, in your case it definitely sounds like you're involved at the front end. I worked in the Corporate Actions team, and I literally wanted to slit my wrists everyday. I had no motivation to work or be better at my job after the first month.
Tha back office will literally suck your soul if you are a naturally ambitious person with career goals.
So Im glad (at least it sounds like it), that you enjoy your job!
Oh, well that I couldnt tell you, fam. I was based in India, and the only trading desk I knew of in Asia was in Singapore. But I would definitely imagine those employees would have been part of front office ops. At my office (1100 headcount at the time), even having talked to a PM was considered a big deal. (Pathetic, I know). In an internal interview, I told the Portfolio compliance VP that I was in touch with PM's from GS/JPM/MS/BNY on a daily basis for position reconciliation (real greaseball copy paste work), and his eyes lit up like I told him I had lunch with Henry Kravis.
Western Ivey / Queen's Smith / McGill Desautels / Toronto Rotman / York Schulich are all great schools for MBA. South of the border, many schools are world renowned! Please don't give me monkey shit. I'm giving my perspective only. The concept of target schools is really not that established in Canada. If I need to name one, it would probably be Ivey.