I'd try to apply as Data Engineer, you'll be close to the data science work and can more easily pivot into there if you want.

Heck, before my first web dev job, it was VERY difficult to get a foot in the door. Now I feel like getting a restraining order on recruiters.

If only you were willing to work in Canada :P.

Have you seen the job listings for data scientists in Canada? It's paltry even here in Toronto compared to parts of the U.S. like SF which have a fraction of the population. Last time I checked, when I searched Data Scientist in SF there were 3000+ listings while in Toronto there maybe a little over a hundred.

And of the few job listings I've seen, most have high standards (PhD or min. Masters, x years of experience) with old companies (banks, car companies).

What's funny is that a lot of people in my circle in Canada are actually doing work for companies outside of the country (U.S., China...)

I was speaking in context of the company i work for. You're right but we're getting there.