Oh that doesn't sound so bad going it in that direction... Is there a good travel agency you'd recommend for packages?

Its not the cheapest but it is the most humane ;)

Air transat fly from Vancouver to Gatwick London and then you could do a couple fo days in London then fly on Monarch direct

Or

Fly emirates or Air Canada to Dubai from Canada and then its a 2 hour (I think) hop to Male' you can then also stop off in Dubai of you feel like it. Dubai airport terminal is like inner earth! One experience in itself.

I tend not to use travel agents, we put our own packages together, barter with the resorts, it also works out to book basic accomodation and request an upgrade when you get there, we did this for our first trip down the south Ari Atol. we got nice water bungalows ;) (the Geckos can be noisy at night on island)