no no no !!! who told you this false information that doesn't make sense !!!?? many peeople lived in canada for 5, 10, or even 15 years and they got rejection because they didn't try to regulirize their status before !
time spent in Canada can help but it's not like a calculator like when you stay here for a long time so you will be able to apply for residency under h&c! duration in Canada is part of the establishment factor but in H&C applications there are 3 important factors ! also establishment can be strengethened by other arguments , 5 or 10 years in canada without any integration will not really help !
The statistics revealed during the following years the chance of success from within Canada or from outside of Canada:
In 2018 – from outside of Canada success was 3.8% and from within Canada 64.9%
In 2017 – from outside of Canada success was 1.7% and from within Canada 57.8%
In 2016 – from outside of Canada success was 2.5% and from within Canada 67.1%
In 2015 – from outside of Canada success was 0.5% and from within Canada 59.8%
In 2014 – from outside of Canada success was 0% and from within Canada 48.9%
In 2013 – from outside of Canada success was 0.6% and from within Canada 40.2%