First, note that while the 'timeline' tool (or whatever it's called) is showing up to 22 months (or close to that), this is a backward-looking measure. They actually just stopped updating it at all during covid.
So expect those times to fall as backlog gets worked on.
Second, that timeline (up to X months) is for ~80% of files to be done in that period of time. Look at the tracker - a great number, probably half, were/are done in even 6-8 months.
As for your main question.
Yes, there are cases of files being held up and delayed for long periods of time or even turned down because the sponsor was not in Canada.
There's no specific period of time that one can say is clearly okay, except 'short trips.' Short trips not defined, except that pretty obviously trips that would be about the length of paid leave in most Canadian companies (under a month) would be covered. (No-one can say about multiple trips but you can be quite sure that more time out of Canada than in would likely not be covered).
Beyond that - no-one knows. It's up to you. Some here will claim that, basically, don't worry because they or some-guy-that-talked-to-a-guy was away and they didn't get caught. And no-one here would likely claim that 'enforcement' of this rule is strict.
That doesn't mean it's not enforced at all.
I'd also be one of the first to say that speeding in Ontario - within reason - is not strictly enforced and you might get away with it, don't worry about it too much. I had a very good record in that respect until a couple weeks ago.
