Applying for PR while Laid Off

[a_p]

I am a Canadian citizen, my wife is an American citizen who's been working here (in Toronto) on 1 year work permits since 2005.  We were married in 2006.  My wife was laid off from her job as an Architect in May of this year.  I understand that by virtue of our marriage she still maintains a "legal" status in Canada despite not having a job.  She is in the process of looking for another job, and her existing work permit (status?) expires in April 2010.

Here's where my head's at.  The "simplest" would be for me to sponsor her through family class, and apply outland (Buffalo?).  We could continue to reside together in Toronto, and she could continue to look for jobs here.

- what needs to happen if/when she finds another job if we haven't heard anything back from CIC yet?  I know she can't get another job with her existing permit, but would she need to get another 1 year permit, or would a fulltime permanent offer be sufficient?  Seems odd to be getting a temporary work permit saying she'll leave in a year, when there is a PR application under adjudication.

- would there be any benefit to applying inland?  Her family are all the in U.S. and we'd like to be able to visit them (few times a year).  I understand this would not be possible with an inland application.

- would it be better/easier/faster to have her apply for PR through any of the other methods?  She's been employed continually in Toronto as an Architect from June 2005 until March 2009, couple of different firms.

Much appreciate any help or insight you may be able to offer.  Sure is a tricky little set of paperwork!!

[Leon]

She could apply under Canadian experience class, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/index.asp  It's supposed to be fairly fast and painless.  I looked at the times at trackitt.com a while ago and it seemed to be averaging around 4-5 months which is faster than the average spousal sponsorship through Buffalo.

Her legal status in Canada right now is not tied to your marriage, it's tied to her work permit.  When her work permit expires, she would have to apply to change her status to visitor.  If she finds another job before she gets PR, she would have to apply for a new work permit.  As an architect, she should be able to get a NAFTA permit, see http://www.canadavisa.com/nafta-temporary-work-permit-canada.html