Confused about what to do next

Well, there are several things to think about here, but to answer your question, you would probably qualify for new student loans as long as you are in good standing with your current loans. So if you haven't defaulted on your loans, the odds are you could get that help to get a second degree. You could discuss this with your current student loans lender or a financial aid officer at the campus you'd like to attend.
 
However, you already feel stressed by the debt you have and your first degree hasn't led to much income. I think you should talk to one of the free counsellors in a job assistance program to see if any other training might improve your financial outlook. Sometimes a second degree might not be as useful as a diploma in an applied field or technology, for example. So I'd get some expert advice before taking on more debt.
 
Even though some programs have closed, you can still get help from those that are there now, and you might get quite a lot of help from the new Canada Student Loans program, RAP. RAP promises to pay off your remaining debt after 15 years if you qualify for the program. For more details, see RAP 101. So don't despair that you'll never be able to get free of this debt. But you do need to be cautious now.
 
And one last thing, Zoe. You don't say how long you've been out of school, but if you do hope to get help from RAP, you should know that they start your 'clock' back to zero if you go back to school full-time.
 
So if you were 14 years out of school, for example and therefore 1 year away from debt freedom, but then you took a full-time course, you would have to wait 15 years - for a total of 29 years after your first school program left you with high debts.
 
Be sure to check in with the forum if you have any further questions. It's good that you are thinking things over before taking the plunge. Your friends may mean well and they might be right, but you're the one that's carrying this debt.