I think you should have got a PPR.
Even for visa-exempt passport holders, they would need to ask for current photographs. And they also always ask for at least photocopy or scan of passport, because they need to make sure they are issuing the COPR with current passport details.
So as far as I'm aware, there is always a PPR even in cases where most of the 'copr/visa' process can be done electronically.
But perhaps I've missed something about your process and what's been done. Mistakes do happen at IRCC too, of course.
You may be right and I wouldn't know because as I said, everything is done by the lawyer in Toronto.
And yes,my lawyer has those photos, passport copies, etc. of my wife.