You are right. All recent Canon cameras will withstand only about 6V input from the flash gun. Older speedlights put in excess of 200V on the cameras flash circuit as they were intended to be triggered by mechanical switches. Modern cameras are triggered by semiconductors and can't stand the volts.
However, B&H sell an adaptor which contains circuitry which can withstand high votages and slips onto your hotshoe and has a hotshoe on top. I have one and it works but it's not cheap.
First you need to find out if the Sunpak develops high voltages. A digital multimeter will answer that question.