Can I renew my Non-B visa for one year while I'm in Canada?

I've been in a similar situation once with my work permit and the labour office was willing to make an exception, stretching the period to 60 days (instead of the usual 30). That wasn't their first answer but it was their second.

I don't have high hopes for the visa though. Immigrations is a different story, usually.

First let's dial in your errant terminology. I would wager you don't have a year VISA 😮 If you got that issued inside the country, what you have (if you look at your stamp) is an "extension of stay" (which is not a visa) 🙂

You can apply for a new extension at some offices when you have 45 days or less left on your current stamp. BUT your solicitor is correct, there is no "other option". If you're out of the country when this one expires you're done and start all over from nothing.

𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟭 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮?

NOPE you can't get an extension of stay issued outside the country.

I'd say take the documentation from your employer, and apply online for the Non-B 90 day Visa thru the thai consulate in either Ottawa or Vancouver when you're over there, come in, get stamped in for 90 days, then apply for the year extension.

That's about the best you can do really 😕