OP won’t accept this.
That’s what I’ve been saying, only Canadians have the legal right to be in Canada. Being a spouse of one does not provide that right. They can be sponsored. They can be approved or rejected though.
I believe a spouse MUST be approved if they meet all the requirements. They cannot be legally turned down if they meet all the requirements. This makes it a right.
A privilege would mean that a spouse could be turned down, even if they meet all the requirements.