I'm a CDA and I definitely think it was helpful. Maybe not for schools in Canada, but for schools in the states and for gaining experience in the field, it was definitely helpful.
As for the CDA programs not having a course syllabus or set curriculum - that's not true at all. In order for students to graduate with a Communicative Disorders Assistant title and to be eligible for membership with CDAAC (Communicative Disorders Assistant Association of Canada) the program needs to go through a program advisory committee where employees work with executive members of CDAAC going over required courses, the number of hours spent in each course, the number of direct and indirect hours with clients during the two 8-week practicums, etc. in order for it to be approved by CDAAC. I believe the program is assessed every 1-2 years during the first couple years of the program is running, and then every 5 years or so thereafter. It was a great program, I went to Lambton and absolutely loved it. I learned a lot and have heard that some schools along the border set aside a few unofficial spots for Canadian CDAs within their program. Whether or not that is true, I am not sure. A girl can only hope!