Starting from the time you apply for Asylum and till the time your immediate family can join you in Canada, count at least good 4 years.
Could be even longer if the pandemic lasts longer and brings other side effects. With all the uncertainties going on, one thing is for sure that everything is and will be delayed longer than expected. But even in normal circumstances, the answer to your question is around 4 years if everything goes smoothly. If refugee claim gets rejected or hearing date gets postponed then it could take much longer...
If you are not sure about keeping up with over 4 years' processing time, I highly recommend not even getting in to it.
Forget Canada and the US or I would say even travelling else where if you claim asylum somewhere and end up being deported OR withdrawing your claim. They both put you back in a situation that you will never get any visitor, study, work visa for any country abroad. As everything is bio-metric now.
Sorry if I sound harsh or too straight forward but just trying to be as honest and to the point as possible. Because being away from my spouse since over 2.5 years and not knowing how much longer, I believe new asylum seekers should be well informed and make their minds and decisions accordingly.
If the asylum seeker is an individual who has no spouse and kids, then Canada is a great country to live in even as a asylum seeker or protected person. You can work, study, drive, rent a place, enjoy the best country in the world!.
Hope it helps! Good luck
