Need Help with Girlfriend

[AdamB]

Hi my names Adam and I have a few questions regarding this whole immigrating to Canada.

I've been with my girlfriend for the past 5 years (6 years on December 28th 2009). Now that her college and mine are done we'd like to know what possible ways there is for us to live together. As of now I have a steady job as a Security Officer and am moving out to an apartment this coming fall. My girlfriend is thinking of visiting me for a couple months and work on the process of getting a Permanent Residency up here after I move out. I live in Canada, Quebec but will probably move in Ottawa as its right by Gatineau where I live. She lives in a small town in Michigan not too far from Detroit, USA. This has us very confused as to what we can do to be together since we are not engaged or married yet but plan to be in the near future. We also don't want to get married just for the sake of her coming up here quickly so we are wondering what ways she could possibly come up here and what she can apply for. We've read through the information but nothing is clear. She tried calling her local Canadian embassies but they would not reveal any information to her therefore we need help and if anyone could take some time to help us out it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Adam

[Leon]

If you've lived together for 12 months, you could apply as common law partners.  If not, you can get married and apply as a married couple.  If you don't want to get married, she could come up and visit you for 6 months and you could go visit her for 6 or she extends her visit visa and visits you for 12.