Getting research jobs in Canada for immigrants I have a PhD in engineering from an African university which is obviously not well known and now I work at the same university as an assistant professor. 

I think about immigrating to Canada (EE system), is there any actual chance that I can get a research position in Canada? Not necessarily at universities. How can I improve my chances? what are the criteria? should I forget about getting such jobs? Hit me with reality!
I would say that it is unlikely that you will. The reason is that even for graduates/PhD's of well known institutes like the University of Toronto, it is very hard to get an academic position in Canada. Therefore, if you come from a not well known institute, and you have not published in the top places in your field, and you have no strong connections to the relevant international academic community, then it is hard to get an academic position. 

Possibly, there are some academic teaching positions available. I do not know, but they are not research, and I would assume that even for them it will be very hard.

The criteria for improving your chances are listed in the first paragraph.