I apologize in advance if this is too detailed. I figure too many details are better than too few. The question I'm trying to answer is whether I need a Canadian work permit for the following situation or if I would count as a business visitor.

First, about me: I am based in Prague, Czech Republic, but am a US citizen. I run my own business focused on teaching; the business is registered in both the US and the Czech Republic.

What I'll be doing in Canada: a company in Quebec has requested software training that I have delivered many times in the past, though never at this particular company. The training would be 6 days long, 8 hours per day. They're not arranging it directly through me, but rather through the company that makes the software.

About the company that makes the software: they're a US based company I worked for for 14 years before I left early last year. They have no offices in Canada in case it matters.

How I am paid: I will be paid by the software company in the US, not by the company in Canada taking the training. The US software company pays me a set amount per day no matter where in the world I deliver their courses. Usually, I deliver them in the US; this is the first time I'll be delivering them in Canada since starting my company.

How the US software company is paid: the software company in the US will be paid directly by the Canadian company. This is a standard training that has a set cost based on the number of days of the training. Usually, there is no contract signed between the US software company and the clients that take its trainings; I'd imagine it would be the same here.

Phew. So back to my original question: does this count as a training that the Canadian company invited me to, and thus I would count as a business visitor? Or would this be a situation where since I'm not paid directly by the Canadian company, I would need a work permit?

Also, does anyone have advice for a good lawyer I can talk to about this? The US software company is willing to reimburse lawyer fees I spend up to a limit.

Thanks in advance for any help!