If you want to make forex an interesting business, then keep yourself motivated about it. If you follow the things in forex, you might not see it as an interesting business in the end.

No, some brokers need a minimum deposit only 1$ to open an account. Some forex trading systems offer the facility of opening a demo account that allows you to check the efficiency and reliability of a particular trading platform. You don’t have to pay anything to open a demo account.

There were several major news events for the CAD scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Also, one of the RBA Governors was speaking.

My sympathy on your situation. I don't trade minors for the simple reason that liquidity and consequently spread becomes a major problem. However given your situation I would suspect the spread had to be in excess of 200 pips when it stopped out your position.

Real trading education has only one way - studying a lot of math and economics in the university and then getting a job in some prop firm or bank. Other ways is a waste of time..

A rebate is accrued from the commission which you pay to your broker for each trade carried out.