PR card or not is not the issue - the issue is that you are not physically in nor resident in Canada.
Do NOT apply to sponsor until you are back physically in Canada to remain (departing only for short trips). Are you compliant with the resdiency obligation?
And dismiss your consultant - the COPR would be enough, but your consultant has failed to understand the most important part.
I actually have been out of Canada for over 330 days now. But i am still in compliancy with the Residency obligation (If i remember this correctly it was 2 years in the first 5 years? I have been in Canada for 372 days out of 3 years hence i have 2 years to complete 1 more year which I plan on completely spending in Canada). A new question arises however from your response. I have to apply for a PRTD since Canada POST did me real good by failing to deliver my card thrice. So is my PRTD application going to be affected by such a long stay out of Canada?