LOL, welcome to last year! Literally.
I suppose even though you're further North, since I'm putting distance from Windsor makes most of the difference. CBC (Channel 9) showed the series the same time BBC did, only a week behind, including the Christmas special. They'll also be showing Series 2, but much later because of Hockey Season. So, I've not only seen every episode of this season, and taped it, but I saw it last summer.
I watched the "original" as a kid, on PBS, it was cheesey, but it was fun, just like Blakes 7 (Which I recently got on DVD). If you're impatient, you can go to Canada, the first series of Doctor Who is already out on DVD, or you can wait until this summer to get it here.
Personally, I thought the Slitheen are the weakest part of this season (They return later). The episode after Dalek and Dalek are some of the better ones. The last two episodes of the Series are the best, IMHO. And after the Christmas Special, well...
SPOILER ALERT: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! (You can skip down to after end spoiler alert to continue)
You've
been
warned!!
After the Regeneration, I like the new Doctor (David Tennant) far more than the older one, even with only a single appearance. He seems far more "Doctorly". And with the return of K9, Sarah Jane Smith, and the Cybermen, this next series is looking to be really hitting a good stride.
END SPOILER ALERT!
So yeah, I watched it, and liked it alot. It's been incredibly popular over in England, and did very well in Canada. Captain Jack even has his own series now, a spin-off called Torchwood. (If you don't know who Captain Jack is, just wait!)