matthars said:
I feel like they didn't look through the application carefully enough because the letter says they haven't receive the certificates, not that the ones provided have expired.
There is no written rule for the validity of police certificate in the case of spousal sponsorships. It used to be that CIC must receive it within three months from the date of issue.
Now there are clear rules for Express Entry candidates, but it says that a PCC can be expected as long as the applicant hasn't been back to the country since the PCC was issued (and even if the aplpicant still lives in the country, it is valid for 6 months)
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/perm/express/intake-complete.asp
In any event, it is very unlikely that IRCC would consider a PCC that was issued in January 2016 expired.
Do you have copies of the PCCs?
I would file a Case Specific Inquire, expain that it was in the original package and that it was issued in Jan, 2016. Provide copies if possible. Most likely it is a mistake.