score:2
Yes, permanent residence is different from legal presence under a visa.
This Canada government page discusses Canadian permanent residence, and contains this text:
A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada, but is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries.
A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
The same page also addresses evidence of permanent residence:
Permanent residents (PRs) of Canada must carry and present their valid PR card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada, or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier. If you do not carry your PR card or PRTD, you may not be able to board your flight, train, bus or boat to Canada.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your PR card is still valid when you return from travel outside Canada, and to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires. If your PR card expires, it does not mean you have lost permanent resident status.
Thus, permanent residence status is demonstrated by showing a "valid PR card." Carry your "valid PR card" or "permanent resident travel document (PRTD)" (as well as your passport) when you travel.
While your travel isn't "travel to Canada," you've highlighted cases in your question where your possession of Canadian permanent residence status can assist you while crossing or transiting other countries.
Carry the evidence, show it when it applies, and you should be fine.
Upvote:2
All Schengen States (to which both Germany and Switzerland belong) follow the same visa code (airport transit visas are in article 3). The Schengen States have a common list of countries whose nationals/citizens must have visas for airport transit, even if remaining airside in the international transit area. (In certain situations a Schengen State may require visas from additional nationalities.)
A visa for Canada or another country listed in the visa code waives the requirement for an airport transit visa. Also an expired visa is accepted when returning from that country having used the visa. A residence permit is likewise valid, if in a certain format; for Canada that is a permanent resident card, in plastic.
The link you have provided about Switzerland does seem to make a distinction between having a visa or a residence permit, listing different issuing countries. This is only because Andorra and San Marino have chosen not to require or issue any visas, as both countries only can be reached via a Schengen State anyway.
Note that your link about Germany is not official and may not be entirely accurate.