He can apply for a work permit at a port of entry if he is from a visa-exempt country.
Only the Principal Applicant is eligible for a BOWP, however a spouse
may be eligible for a spouse open work permit, based on the PA's BOWP and under which program the the PA has applied. That means to get the SOWP, they would need to show proof of your BOWP (AOR, copy of BOWP if you have already received it). And they may need to show proof of the PA's employment in a skilled occupation (FSW class), or not (CEC class).
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/provincial-nominees-permanent-resident-applicants/bridging-open-work-permits.html
"The following foreign nationals do not qualify for a BOWP:
- foreign nationals applying for a BOWP at a port of entry or visa office;
- spouses and dependants of principal permanent resident applicants..."
"Spouse or common-law partner and dependants
Certain conditions must be met by the holder of a BOWP in order for their spouse or common-law partner to also be eligible for an open work permit under
subparagraph R205(c)(ii) as a spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker (see
International Mobility Program: Public policy, competitiveness and economy).
..........................
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/labour-market-impact-assessments/public-policy-competitiveness-economy.html#skilled-workers
"Eligibility for specific spousal situations
Spouses of bridging open work permit (BOWP) holders
If the principal foreign worker has obtained a BOWP, the following eligibility requirements apply:
- All principal foreign workers’ work permits must be valid for six months or longer.
- For spouses or common-law partners of federal skilled worker class (FSWC) applicants, the BOWP holder must be performing work that is at a level that falls within NOC skill levels 0, A or B.
- For spouses or common-law partners of provincial nominee class (PNC) applicants, the spouse or common-law partner is eligible for an open work permit for the duration of the work permit held by the principal PNC applicant, irrespective of the skill level of the principal PNC applicant’s occupation.
- For spouses or common-law partners of federal skilled trades class (FSTC) applicants, the BOWP holder must be performing work that is within one of the skilled trade occupations in NOC skill level B.
- For spouses or common-law partners of Canadian experience class (CEC) applicants, there are no set preconditions to be met by the principal CEC applicant.
- For spouses or common-law partners of caregiver applicants (caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class), the BOWP holder must be performing work within one of the qualifying occupations in NOC skill level 0, A or B."
