Then how would you be able to post a bank draft and it be cleared funds by the date you need - this facility is available in the USA as I use it all the time my only other suggestion would be to contact the Canadian embassy in London explain your predicument and ask for their assistance in arranging the transfer of funds - it is a good lesson to learn that if you are moving away to arrange a bank account in the country of destination prior to arrival without one how were you going to access your funds when you arrived? As a Canadian by birth you will find things are much more formally done over there and there are fewer shortcuts as here and I also would have thought your own bank would/should have had no problem assisting you as the other message said someone is definately not being frank with you. Another thought is this an agency fee or a government fee?
Chris