You are confusing two things. Your grades will mostly be scrutinized by the college or university you are applying to. The visa officer is more concerned that you are coming to Canada for the sole purpose of studying and not any other reason. If there are any irregularities you will have to explain the same to the visa officer so that he is convinced that you are coming to study. Having poor IELTS score will show that you may not be able to communicate properly. Having poor grades would show that you may not be able to score well and pass. Having a gap in your education and work history shows that you are hiding something.
If you have a good IELTS score then it shows that you can communicate properly. If you have good marks it shows that you would be able to study in Canada and pass. Having an explanation to your study and work history shows that you are truthful and honest. Gaps don't matter, there is a person on the forum with 24 years between his last education qualification and he got his visa.
You need to be truthful and mention what you are doing up to the present date. If you are not employed or studying then in the employment area you will have to mention that you were applying to college and from when were you doing that. We cannot comment on if X is sufficient since all cases are individual.