what if you dont include children

[canuck_in_uk]

gonna hijack this thread since OP seems to have found an answer to his question.

let's say i was in the same position as OP and thought that it would be fine to exclude family members who didn't want to move to canada, would the visa officers immediately reject the application and flag it as misrepresentation without giving me a chance to explain that it was an honest misunderstanding on my part?

They would give you the chance to explain but "honest misunderstanding" is not a valid excuse because the guide, checklists and forms clearly indicate that you need to include your dependents. The app would most likely be refused and a 5 year ban would be issued.

 

[sawadee-eh]

It is hard to convince them that it was an honest mistake if you deliberately exclude them from the application, especially when the application says to list all your sons / daughters whether they are coming with you or not.

^This.

 

[expectin]

They would give you the chance to explain but "honest misunderstanding" is not a valid excuse because the guide, checklists and forms clearly indicate that you need to include your dependents. The app would most likely be refused and a 5 year ban would be issued.

Eligible family members are examined for admissibility
The spouse or common-law partner and all dependent children of any age outside Canada,
whether or not they are seeking permanent resident status at the same time as the principal
applicant, will be examined for compliance with admissibility requirements (i.e., medical,
criminality and security).
The exception to this requirement is separated or former spouses/common-law partners and
children in the sole custody of another person, including the separated or former
spouse/common-law partner. A separated spouse, former common-law partner or child in the
custody of another person, who was not examined, cannot later be sponsored as a member of
the family class [R117(9)(d)].
The visa office will advise the family members whether an interview is necessary