I had my wp and t-stat replaced at the same time, and it only came to about $300 here in the states. I don't know what that is Canadian, but sounds a bit overpriced. You don't necessarily have to take it to the dealer.
But from what I've read on this site, the WP is definitely a relatively easy DIY job, and I think the t-stat is nearby, and just as easy. I think there's a "howto" on the wp replacement. The T-stat is pretty similar for most cars.
