Also in case it is helpful... I got the following response from Jaffamuzz who started this thread:
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I got in just fine. 3 of us arrived as Canadians and I arrived as a tourist, I could have just walked in as a tourist and they didn't ask me any questions, but I did 'declare' that I have also applied for PR status to the officer. I think they assumed I was 'landing' as a PR at that moment (which I was not, I was still in process)
They directed me to another agent who asked if I was 'landing' and I said, 'well, yes I just landed as a tourist, but I'm awaiting PR' and the guy just sent me on my way (as a tourist)
No worries, no questions, they never did ask about my house or anything like that BUT I did purchase a (refundable) Westjet ticket to the UK (for about 6 months later), which was going tobe my 'ammunition' if they did express any concern for me entering as a tourist and just planning to stay forever (Which they didn't)
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We all entered together.
We shipped everything but put it all in my wife's name only (Canadian)
We are not 100% certain, because it was years ago now, but my wife is quite sure that she DID declare that we had items shipped to follow. I think we had a form for that, but it wasn't an issue at all.