I've had my licence suspended for 3 months once myself. in my case there were only 2 speeding tickets in the demerit point mix. most were for a broke uni student driving alone on a learners licence, in a non-WOFed car with expired rego... and later on a restricted licence, driving after 10pm alone and carrying passengers.
I still manage a 60% no claims bonus from the insurance co
if you're only going for a year, why not get the beast tuned for canadian gas, and ship it over under a carnet du passage. Sort of a passport for cars. Theres a time limit (12 months IIRC), and the car MUST leave after the time limit, so no selling it to a canuck, but it would let you take your own car.