It has always been 2 applications in one submission. Used to be paper applications: completing the forms, enclosing the supporting document, fee receipts, etc. in one envelope and mail/courier to IRCC.
Nevertheless there are people take IRCC to court over study permit delays:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/chinese-students-permit-delays-ircc-court-1.7623307
Read an applicant quitted his 170K Canadian dollars yearly job in China before he can actually get the study permit!
Despite what you said...
We've seen in these forums over the years that IRCC sometimes think people's job or business have little prospects and might become one of the reasons for refusals.
Since it's a business summit, shouldn't be conducting business? Besides attending the summit, wouldn't you be sightseeing landmarks such as Niagara Falls? If so, you can also select tourism. Or a combination if applicable.
Do you mean you now have dual nationality - holding two passports? If so, you can book the air ticket using the other name in the passport with the Canadian visa .
Couldn't each spouse be financially independent of each other? With only things like emotion support of each other? How about children financially support by the spouse living outside Canada?
I heard an injured senior foreign tourist in France (or its family) raised the half million dollars funds through internet donations for less than 5 hours!
Canada Post strike not so long time ago! Someone might not even receive it.
Why they don't keep track themselves? If they don't travel or move to another province, no need to renew.
Wouldn't it be simpler if they add the reminder in their calendar app, instead? Sometimes people missed important messages in their spam or junk folders of their email addresses.