Hello Michelle,
You could try to get there as a student but you will need to prove you have the financial means to study and support yourself, also you would have to prove you will leave the country once the course or degree is over, and with your spouse in Canada that will very difficult to prove.
The only way you have to work legally while in Canada is studying full time that means no short courses or something for less than a year and that would allow you to work up to 20 hrs a week.
I'm nobody to tell you what to do, but the best way to see your spouse while you are waiting for your permanent residency will be on a visitor visa (but you can't work).