Have any of you applied for visa to Canada?

Ok, so my employer arranged a seminar for me in Calgary, AB, Canada. I have applied for advanced parole and now I am in the process of applying for a visa. I plan to stay in Canada for a total of 3 days. My plan is to have my husband accompany me and we will get a car rental that my employer will re-reimburse. It is very important that I attend this seminar and I don't have much doubt that i will be granted advanced parole.

My only problem is the requirements for obtaining the Canadian visa. It is asking me to provide a letter of invitation and that the invitee must state my name, date of birth, address, as well as asking the invitee's personal information. The thing is that this is only a 1 day seminar that we couldn't find anywhere in the US that meets company training deadlines. In other words, I could lose my job for not meeting requirements. The seminar has already been paid for and they even reserved and paid a hotel for a two day stay. We don't know anyone within this company to ask for such a favor.

Is there a way around such a letter? Did any of you manage to get a visa without many issues.

What has your employes said about your status and your inability to go without getting a visa?

My boss is just getting orders from above. Is something that they make every employee do. If anything I want to fallow through like others so that I may keep my job.

Why can't your boss write you the letter required? It doesn't seem like it would be that hard for them to do.

This is playing life on hard mode.