Activate IEC inland to change company from closed work permit?

[dvidg]

• I have been a temporary resident of Vancouver, Canada for over two years.
• I am here on an intra-company transfer visa (a closed work permit) tied to a specific job and my spouse has a spousal open work permit.
• I would like to change companies and am eligible for IEC.
• I have applied for IEC and received my POE LOI letter.

Is it possible to receive my IEC permit without paying for an expensive trip down to Mexico? I know that current IEC holders can submit A112025 and receive their IEC via mail. There is also IMM 5710 for current work permit holders to receive their permit by mail.

Alternatively, as I am not extending an existing visa, am I even flagpoling? So am I potentially exempt from the flagpoling ban and could receive the new IEC at the US/Canadian border or at YVR airport after a cheaper flight to Seattle?

Finally, if I change from closed work permit to IEC, cancelling my own closed work permit, will my spouse's open work permit also be cancelled?