Read the following link from CIC's gazette for all the proposed changes:
http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2012/2012-08-18/html/reg2-eng.html
Dependents don't need to take IELTS. But, if they take IELTS and score at least 4 band in each category, it will give the applicant 5 points for adaptability. So, it's your choice to take it or not.
CIC has said in its website that they will not accept or respond to any query at this time from people that are not current applicants. Also, they have blocked phone calls from outside Canada. So, it's no use trying to contact them at this point. COntacting them is not going to help anyways because things they have already announced for the new FSW can be found in their website or other sources (like Kenny's twitter and this forum). Things they have not yet announced are well, not out yet, so noone can help us in that regard.
As for the job offer, as per Kenny's recent tweets, Job offer is not mandatory. But, if you have a job offer your application will be processed faster and if you don't have a job offer, your application will be processed after all the current backlog is cleared.
gopaldutt said:
Based on my thoughts and assumptions, I very much am sure, it is principal applicant who takes IELTS. Dependents need not take this. Again we would like to get a formal and more accurate answer for this, may be from CIC.
However, again, is there anyone who can confirm if we need Employment letter before applying for FSW? I could not find a valid satisfactory answer to this so far. As I said earlier, I am unable to reach CIC to clarify this.