NOC is 2173 (computer programmer or so), not regulated.
Yes, getting OINP eliminated lots of uncertainty and mental burden. My alternative to learning French was to forgo spouse accompany, and then go for sponsorship to reunite. This was Dec 2020 — soon after that FSW stopped drawing, so neither non-accompany or French would have worked for me in 2021.
The lesson I learned is to do whatever that makes sense (like getting in the pool) because you never know what ends up in your favor.
