Hypothetically, sure, they could. But probably unlikely unless the citizen is gone for a long time (and possibly some other factors, don't know). [Usual warning that this does not apply to PR-sponsors.] And for a sponsor who's gone to visit and actually does intend to return (and done things like keep a residence or job) it shouldn't be hard to respond to such an inquiry anyway.
The poster who asked this question seems to be a December 2019 applicant with no movement on the file for some time. May be worth doing the usual (gcms notes, MP inquiry) to get some info on what's going on with the file. Although looks like a Mississauga file so probably just caught up with all the other files delayed there.