In the context of immigration, "fair and square" really only means that anyone who qualifies may apply. As the spouse of a Canadian, you qualify to be sponsored for permanent residence, without regard to your nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, whatever. And that is where "fair and square" ends.
So far as the processing of our applications goes, "fair and square" has no application. There are too many individualized factors to permit any kind of standardized times. Even the times we see on the CIC's website are an average of one or more averages. Essentially, those timelines are meaningless on an individual basis, and the sooner we remember that, the "easier" this waiting gets.
I know I might sound harsh/cold, but I have been there. I waited 15 months, and several persons who applied after me (months after, in some cases) were approved very quickly, long before I was. Was I frustrated at times? Of course. Did that frustration make things any easier? No, not really. What made it easier was telling myself that everyone approved before me is one less person in the line ahead of me, so my chance was coming that much quicker. It didn't matter when they started their processing, it just mattered that it was over for them, and so I imagined myself inching a little closer to the top of the pile. Eventually, my turn came, and I'm pretty sure there were people happy to see me over and done with so that their turn could come.
Do the best you can to live your life with your spouse while you wait, no matter the distance between. If you feel like you have too much time on your hands, take up a hobby or a new skill. Research your new home country, new home town, do something to prepare yourself for the shock of picking up and starting over. Skip focusing on whatever CIC is doing, you have no control over that. Focus on yourself and your spouse and your relationship, and stay strong throughout the process.
