The emphasis of Canadian Immigration is to reunite close members in Canada through Family Class Program. Under the Spousal Sponsorship program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may sponsor a spouse or common-law partner for Canadian permanent residence.
The other important option for Spousal/Common-Law Sponsorship is the Inland Sponsorship. Inland sponsorship is when the couple is together in Canada and the foreign spouse/common-law partner has temporary status in Canada, either as a worker, student, or visitor.