Yeah probably starting out freelance is your best bet, the old school method of building sites and apps for local business. You might find the local market can work for you if a lot of local businesses still need web and or ios apps.

Tried looking for jobs in the Kitchener-Waterloo area?

EDIT: there will be lots of smaller companies there that will be more understanding of no-formal-education.

Wealthsimple is based in Toronto and hriring, did you try applying there?