Hello Kitoy,
Canada is a bit different from the U.S. on this point. Having applied or intending to apply for permanent residency doesn't preclude a person from visiting Canada. What matters is that the authorities believe that the person won't work or study in Canada and will leave once their temporary status runs out. Although having a spouse in Canada means the visitor may attract greater scrutiny from border officials, more likely than not a person from a visa-exempt country will be let in.
There is a question on one of the immigration forms that asks, "Have you [...] ever been refused admission to, or ordered to leave, Canada or any other country?" It's not clear to me whether or how being refused entry could affect one's PR application. I suppose if a person had been caught trying to enter Canada to work illegally, this could be taken as evidence that they had an immigration motive in marrying a Canadian.
Here is a quote from an operational manual for the CBSA.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/enf/enf04-eng.pdf
14.
Dual intent
A22(2) states that the intention of a foreign national to become a permanent resident does not
preclude them from becoming a temporary resident if the BSO is satisfied that they will leave
Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay.
A person’s desire to await the outcome of an application for permanent residence from within
Canada may be legitimate and should not automatically result in the decision to refuse entry. A
BSO at Immigration Secondary should distinguish between such a person and an applicant who
has no intention of leaving Canada if the application is refused.
In rendering a decision, the BSO should consider:
• the length of time required to process the application for permanent resident status;
• the means of support;
• obligations/ties in home country;
• the likelihood of the applicant leaving Canada if the application is refused; and
• compliance with the requirements of the Act and Regulations while in Canada.
In some cases, the BSO may wish to issue a Visitor Record [IMM 1097B] documenting the details
of the trip for control purposes and provide thorough counselling regarding the conditions of entry.
In cases where the applicant has already received a favourable recommendation for permanent
resident status, the duration of time authorized at the port of entry should match the time required
to complete the processing of the application
See also:
- Sections 13.17-13.29 of the same manual
- Sections 5.4, 9 and 16 of the following manual for overseas visa officers issuing temporary resident visas: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op11-eng.pdf
Do you have a job? Take a paystub or a letter from your employer stating you are to report back to work on such and such a date.