Eligibility for Work Permit

[Andephark]

I have just bought myself a flight to Canada for August 2013 with the aim of getting myself a working visa to work in Vancouver, either behind a counter in a shop, or in a bar/cafe, etc.
I've been looking at the Canadian Immigration Website, specifically at the Application to Work in Canada: Work Permits section

And I think I am in the right place, can anyone confirm this for me?
Also, I just wanted to know if I am eligible for a work permit or not?
I am 20 years old, will be 21 when I fly out. I have been working as a lifeguard since I was 16 and haven't missed a day since starting, I am qualified in teaching and coaching swimming and I am also qualified in the operations of the pool plant room, i.e pool filtration and chemical dosing. I have no criminal record and will happily go through a criminal record check or police check or whatever process they need to put me through, I aim to save up at least £3,000 before heading out to Canada, which will help tide me over for a few months, I also have relatives that stay in Canada and will be putting me up for the duration of my stay. I will pay money to them for keeping me, and will also, hopefully, earn some of my own money once I get a job.


In closing, how long as a UK citizen am I allowed to stay in Canada without a visa?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

 

[scylla]

You will likely be allowed to visit Canada for six month. How long a visit you are given is up to the immigration officer you encounter when you enter Canada.

No - you do not qualify for a work permit at this time. You need two things to qualify to apply for a work permit:

- A job offer from an employer
- An approved LMO (labour market opinion) from the employer who has offered you a job

The LMO is going to be the difficult part to get. More information on LMOs is here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

If you want to work in Canada, you should look into the working holiday visa program. This is probably a better / easier option than trying to find an employer who is willing to obtain an LMO.