common law visa or temporary visa for partner

[intstudent2010]

Hi, I am applying for a PhD in Vancouver starting September 2010. I want to bring my partner with me. There are two questions I have.

1) We will have been living together a year in August, however, I need to apply for a student visa before this. Do you have to be living together a year on the date you apply or on the date you want the visa to begin?

2) Is my partner better off applying for a temporary worker visa for a year or taking the chance of being rejected as a common law partner? Will he be able to extend this if he gets a job, or will he be able to change his status to my common law partner on my student visa after this first year?

Thanks you in advance.

[intstudent2010]

Anybody have any experience/advice on this please?