I do agree with you. If temporary residents (temporary workers and International students) do have programs in place, where they can apply for open work permits for their spouses, why not a Citizen or PR.
Also, I was checking, if you have received the sponsorship approval, PA can apply for Open work permit. Do the search, this may help.
Everyone who applies for Spousal sponsorship does know the difference between both, but now its a need of time to get theses to rule changed or amended. If a pilot project can be run where they are issuing open work permits for Inland, why not for Outland.