Not a question of IRCC relationship baby sitting. More a question of Canada's screwed up immigration laws allowing illegal immigrants flaunting our immigration laws to stay in Canada if they can hoodwink a Canadian girl into marrying them. Alex doesn't belong in Canada. His whole application was a giant lie. Why doesn't Canada send him packing? He should be expelled, banned from Canada for at least a year, and then if Sarah wants to undertake an outland spousal sponsorship after a year... they can have at it.Yes - you're right. As long as the relationship is genuine, the application process may very well go quite smoothly. I do expect they will look at the relationship more closely given how long he's been here without status and it's possible he may be called to an interview. However as previously mentioned, the relationship is quite a long one with your daughter which will support a positive outcome to sponsorship (IMO).
The reality is that your daughter is an adult and old enough to make her own decisions. Unfortunately it sounds like she has chosen to be in a relationship with someone who is a user/jerk. That's her choice and it isn't IRCC's role to relationship babysit.
Why does a marriage cancel out flaunting the law?