I have been receiving so many emails regarding how to submit spouse's passport if he/she is in not Canada.
Here is my experience:
When you get your PPR, do send all the required + passport to ottawa with the explanation letter why your spouse's passport can not submitted to ottawa.
Also, reply back to PPR email (just press reply) and state the same explanation letter and mention you are sending your passport with the canada post tracking #
Ottawa will send you another ppr email (no time mentioned but assume 15-20 days) which you can send to your spouse and he/she can submit her passport to home country Canadian High Commission.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LAND IN CANADA UNTIL YOU HAVE CONFIRMED THE VISAS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO YOUR FAMILY. YOU ALSO MUST LAND BEFORE OR AT THE SAME TIME AS YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS; THEY CANNOT LAND IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN LANDED.