Yes. Exactly. You're entirely right. There have been a ton of great dive shops that I've worked with over the years - none in Alberta (though I am scouting out some new shops), but plenty in BC and California. Great people doing wonderful work to keep this hobby fun, safe and interesting.
I met Jeff back in 2000 when he was just an annoying nobody, and I detested him immediately. He may have been passionate about scuba but to me it appeared it was all to feed his ego. He made himself to be more than what he was. I knew his background, his training (or lack of), the dives he did (and didn't do) and went on a couple of trips with him before he became Mr Aquatek. What he told people about his experience wasn't anywhere near what he made it out to be. Not even close. He was technically one of the worst divers I've ever seen in the water. People that didn't know any better would fall for his shtick. Over the years I saw how he would suck new people in and then betray them. The trail of people that hate him is long and goes back years. I've never met someone that was so universally loathed by people that knew him. Don't let your experiences with the dick tarnish what is otherwise a great pastime. You weren't the only one to fall for a smile, a bucket load of c-cards and a load of crap.