I was told by an immigration that as long as YOU are an adult/spouse she does not have to meet the financial requirments to sponsor you ...only if she is sponsoring a minor! Double check this but that is what a lawyer told me because my canadian wife is not working and is on maternal leave.
The financial requirements the lawyer told you about is the Low Income Cut Off. ALL SPONSORS still need to meet the other eligibility requirements which means they can NOT be receiving welfare AND they can NOT have an undischarged bankruptcy.