Wow this whole topic went all random...
As to the original poster, Love_Young:
I think that a probationary period is a good idea. The whole process is made so difficult because of scammers and it would definitely deter those who are just looking for a quick way into Canada. The marriage class would no longer be a quick way in for some and I doubt that a lot would want to bother having to live with someone they are not actually in love with for some many years before they could get PR. It's so hard to prevent people from scamming the system and probation is not a terrible idea. I mean to genuine couples, as long as your spouse was able to work/study whatever, it wouldn't matter that much. I think though that whether it be a probationary period or some other thing, Canada definitely needs a stronger way to deter people who are just trying to gain they're PR. If we could do that, it would definitely be a lot easier for the genuine couples. Sadly that's the way of the world, some people ruin it for everyone.
Oil Sand Guy:
Really, I don't think anyone was placing any blame but realistically you have to understand that the MAJORITY of scammers are not coming from within but from out of the country. You don't see Canadians desperately trying to escape the country, however you do see people from other countries desperately trying to come here. I am not saying that all Canadians are perfect by any means. But you make it seem like a majority of the scammers are coming from within the country. That is absolutely ludicrous. I mean really, if all it was, was that I was desperate for a man, I would just find one in this country. I would not go through the thousand(s) of dollars to sponsor someone to come here and take upon myself the financial responsibility for them. If someone sponsors you, you are in no means a slave. It is very easy for someone who has been sponsored to just leave their spouse once they arrive and live off the government and force the sponsor to pay back every cent. Once you have PR you cannot be forced to stay with your sponsor so I do not understand how you believe Canadians to be out their fishing for men/women. If a foreign national believed they were being used to be a "slave" they could just leave. Sorry to say the scammers aren't from within the country. There may be the odd one but really they will be the ones paying in the end.
p.s. what makes you think you are more educated than the immigration minister?
One last thing, I think Canada is pretty close to heaven on earth