http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2012/ob485.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp
Conversely, applicants who apply under in-Canada PR classes (Live-in Caregiver class, Spouses or Common-law Partners in Canada class, Protected Persons, etc.) become eligible for open WPs once their application has been “approved in principle”, or upon submission of their application.
When someone meets the minimum requirements to be a permanent resident, and has received a positive stage one assessment of their application (an “approval in principle” letter). In this situation, they will not become a permanent resident until an officer decides that they meet all remaining requirements and are not inadmissible.
Regardless of how you interpret these statements, the fact is that you need an AOR.
So, here's some food for thought. They came up with this new category, only to restrict it to people who had their application evaluated, however many months after receiving AORs. This category is for those whose permits are expiring within 4 months. What would you do if your permit was expiring, yet your interpretation is that you do not have the status of "passed" yet, but do have an AOR.
Just simply pointing out the fact that to ME this would make no sense. Here's another one: "They have received a positive eligibility decision on their PR application under one of the Economic Class programs above; and". Ergo my point!