+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445
Well I have been waiting for months. My big fear is that I will encounter another horrible person at the border who will tell me I had to mail in my Package to Buffalo and not allow me back in to Canada to finish my visit. I am here legally as a visitor. My two experiences at the border were horrible.
 
If you really do not want to go to the border, you can apply outside Canada. You can not apply inside if you are a visitor, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp

For the US, you can apply in any one of these visa offices: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/apply-where.asp#u

For example in Detroit, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions/detroit.asp

According to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp/workers.asp#west it would then take a month to get the work permit.

If you do it at the border, you would get it instantly but it is up to you.