Mr.Stewart, you would need to apply for Z visa rather than F visa. F visa is issued to aliens is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.

It takes 4 working days for processing if all requirements are prepared. There is a visa service in Edmonton, you can submit visa application to this agency, but you need to pay extra fee for its service. Please find its contact information on this page.