Its not about other peoples application getting approved, you can't build that as your justification, NO. Providing 27 out of 25 that is still minimum. POF seems to have changed, as before it requires One year tuition fee+ 10,000 living expenses (outside of Quebec)+ 4,000 first dependant. But now, it doesn't say one year tuition fee, and they added housing fee. I studied at UNB, I know rent around NBCC, if you add rent for the duration of the program you do not meet POF. VO was right in your situation.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/get-documents.html