Government Job Offer but No Work Permit?

[USjason]

Hello board, I am in desperate need for help and I don't know where to turn. As a refresher, I am a US citizen and I came to Edmonton back in February as a "visitor" to be closer for a relationship. I finally received an offer of employment today for a law court sheriff with the Alberta Sheriff's Office. They said that I start Monday May 12th and they told me to bring my SIN my first day. I told them that I couldn't get my SIN until I had a work permit which I couldn't get until I had an offer of employment. I went by the local TFW office to see what to do next and I was told that the profession was not part of NAFTA and that it would require an LMO. How did the Alberta government go through the entire hiring process knowing that I was International the entire time, and then not realize that I can't just get a work permit.

The human resources only suggestion was to drive to the closest border and hope that the customs officer isn't experienced enough to know that the government job requires an LMO and see if they will issue me a work permit

Can anyone provide any insight or advice on what I can do next?

 

[scylla]

Sigh. Our government at its best.

The border official will know you need an LMO - they weren't born yesterday. Driving to the border is a bad idea and if the officer doesn't like the fact you're trying to pull a fast one, there's a chance you could end up with an exclusion order (ban from entering Canada for a year). Your employer needs to get an approved LMO if they want you to work for them. There is no other option.