WP holder, lost job- advice needed

My work permit was first issued in March '07 and has since been extended twice. The current one expires in March 2010. It is for a specific employer but I did not need an LMO since I fell under the NAFTA professionals exception. I'm married to a Canadian and will be submitting my PR application in a few weeks. Unfortunately I found out this morning that my position at work has been eliminated. My main concern is remaining here in Canada with my husband and son, ideally until my I receive my PR (which will hopefully be in the spring sometime). My employer may be willing to give me salary continuance until March 2010 - would this help me at all? Am I allowed to stay in Canada until the expiry of my work permit? I would like to be able to go back and forth to the US to visit my family for the holidays as I have always done - will the border agents somehow know that I'm no longer working at my job?

Also, will the loss of my job affect my Ontario health coverage (OHIP)? The date of expiry on my health card is the same as my WP.

Thank you in advance for any help - I'm still a bit shell-shocked from the news and would at least like to get this cleared up.