I'm a UK passport holder on an L1 visa (intra-company transferee) in the US. My employer is planning to implement more of North America operating model than the current distinct US & Canada operating model.

I am being sounded out about a role which would require regular travel to Canada - several visits per month - although I would also continue to spend a significant amount of working time in the US.

My family would continue to live in the US and I would continue to be paid in the US and employed by a US entity.

As I'm not a US or Canadian passport holder I suspect that my position is different from my Canadian and US colleagues who might find themselves in a similar position.

Do I need some sort of formal entitlement to work (i.e. execute work rather than be employed or paid) in Canada?

If so, is there a Canadian status which is obtainable which I can hold alongside my US L1 visa which entitles me to work and be paid/employed in the US?

My guess is that there are various types of consultants that find themselves in a similar position - I meet plenty of non-Canadian, non-US citizens who work for North American consulting outfits and who are deployed on both US and Canadian assignments - how are they doing it?

Provisions of intra-caompany transfer exist, which should be compatible with the situation that you describe. The necessity of such a work permit, or one under any other provision, would depend on the scope of the work that you perform while in Canada. If that scope extends beyond typical corporate meetings, then the likelihood is that a work permit will be needed.