No, you can't apply for OWP with an outland application, must be in Canada and apply inland to do so. (At least with sponsorship app, if you have some other route to apply for work permit for which you are eligible, that's separate topic and forums).
TRV is not 'closed' for spouses - so you should apply. It does not mean you will be accepted but you can try. You'll have to decide whether you want to apply outland now or wait on the chance TRV will be issued. (You can also apply multiple times for TRV - if it should get accepted later you can go to Canada and be in-country despite the 'outland' application, but no work permit. Or conceivably withdraw outland and apply inland)
