Staying in Canada as a visitor after work permit

[dennislux]

I am entering Canada next week on an employer-specific work permit that is valid until November. However, I would like to stay in Canada up until potentially May 2020, as visitors can usually stay up to 6 months. Do I communicate this directly to the immigration officer upon my arrival in Canada? Or do I just enter Canada with my work permit and then apply for my visitor status once my work permit expires?

 

[Bs65]

Usually people apply to extend stay as a visitor in the 30 days before their current status expires

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/extend-stay.html