You must include your dependents in your application. Excluding them entirely is not an option. However you can flag them as non-accompanying (meaning they won't come to Canada with you immediately and don't need to be issued visas). Even if they are non-accompanying, they must still provide copies of their passports, pass the medical, pass the background check, and you must provide POF to cover yourself and them as well.
You would then use the family class process to sponsor them later.
