So for immigration officer looking at my PR application it won't be suspicious that while waiting for PR I have decided to change my student status (I'm in the middle of my educational program) to tourist?
No. It's the correct thing to do. And they would be aware why you're putting your studies on hold. It's a rational thing to do, if you have the luxury of time.
I am curious about how a change of your visa from student to tourist visa is going to help you avoid higher tuition fees in Canada. Do tourists pay a lower tuition? The question sounds so illogical, I can't wrap my head around it.
I know nothing about Canadian student visa requirements for international students. Doesn't studying in Canada require maintaining a status by following certain rules? I am just talking from my US experience and would have never considered this hypothetical scenario because it would have been a clear violation of immigration rules.
You do understand one part of it. Since OP will not be enrolling, he/she will not be able to fulfill the study permit conditions and thus requires to change to visitor status while waiting in Canada for PPR/COPR. This is allowed in Canada, subject to the approval of the status change application.
What OP wants to do, essentially, is to take a break from studies while the PR decision hasn't come in yet, and then continue his/her studies after getting PR status to be able to pay as a domestic student.
International students pay 2-3x the domestic students' fees. That is the real cost of tuition.
Domestic students are subsidized through federal and provincial government grants.
