Discussions

You're getting your ducks in a row at the right time of the year.  
Once the snow's gone (shouldn't be too long with this forecast) and temps pick up just a bit more spring's the perfect time to start grass before the weather gets too hot. It sounds like for the most part what you're looking to do is an overseed.  
 
No expert either but have taken enough lumps by trial and error over the years to have a pretty good idea. I use Scotts premium sun/shade mix. They provide some good instructions on the package, or at http://en-ca.scotts.com/smg/goprod/pure-premium-sun-shade-grass-seed/prod11570019?&  
Don't feel like you have to pay full price for their seed. Wal-mart, TSC Store and Canadian Tire should at different times have sales on smaller and big bags if past years have been any guide. 

The raking part can be hard work but pretty satisfying when its done. If you can get a hold of a thatch rake (buying or even borrowing), they pull up everything so smoothly compared to a regular rake.  
 
When watering, pay extra attention to the part about keeping it damp for the first few weeks by watering a couple times per day. At same time common mistake is to water it too much to the point where the seeds might rot (you want the ground to be damp but not saturated to the point where you're regularly making big puddles).  
 
You'll also want to find the right balance with how much seed you put down. Common mistake is to with good intentions cover your lawn with a sea of white... but there's a point where you have too much seed and are creating too much competition between all of your new grass. See "don't seed a lawn as thick as most people seed a lawn" about 1/3 the way down at http://www.renegadegardener.com/content/dontdothat2004.htm  
 
Good luck!