My husband and I are South African citizens with valid work visas. A week ago we applied for Schengen visas (Europe) and the lady tore out our work permits (paper stapled in our passports).
My husband misplaced his paper and we can't find it anywhere. We are leaving the country in 2 weeks for a visit and then returning to Canada.

Will he be able to re-enter Canada with only a work visa?

Can border control print him out a new copy?

Should he file for a lost copy and get it reissued before we leave? (This process takes 3 weeks!)

What should we do?

Filing for replacement of the work permit within Canada is the ordinary process under these circumstances. An entry visa alone is sufficient to allow you to appear at the port of entry to seek admission; such admission may be contingent on your ability to demonstrate that you have a valid work permit.