Since you've been gone from Canada, Matt, the Internet has exploded with what are called "search engines". A popular one is Google and its first two results provided all the information I'd have thought anyone would need:
http://www.laos-guide-999.com/laos-visa.html
https://laos.travisa.com/Common/TVSV...tizenshipid=CA
Essentially - and this is a technical term - you're screwed if you can't find, beg, borrow, or bribe a Lao business sponsor
Can I suggest Burma? They're a staunchly Buddhist society, much in the news these days for undertaking some ethnic cleansing - a mere detail I'm sure