Americans north of the border (original) (raw)

My GoogleFu is failing me, so I'm hoping someone here has either already invented this wheel or knows where I can find someone who has.

My hubby and I are in Canada under NAFTA - he's got the primary work permit while I'm here on a spousal work permit. I'm trying to find an IT job, but half to two-thirds of the positions I'm finding are for contractors. AIUI, anyone acting as a contractor in Ontario is required to incorporate as a standalone business, and it's that business that contracts to provide services to company "X" instead of simply the individual. In my case, I'm looking at some Unix sys admin positions with Rogers via contracting with IBM.

I've gotten the impression that, to incorporate myself as a standalone business in Ontario, I need to be either a citizen or a permanent resident (aka "landed immigrant"). My husband and I are going to start the application process for permanent residency later this year, but right now I'm technically just a temporary guest in Canada.

I can't find a definitive answer via Google, and since this is a provincial matter, I didn't find much of anything useful at the CIC website.

Does anyone here know for sure, or can any of y'all point me at any websites which might lead me to an absolute answer of "Yes, you may incorporate today", "No, you have to wait until you're a Landed Immigrant", or "No, you don't have to incorporate to be an IT contractor"?

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer!!!