Rejection at this stage is a little sad, but temporary. But damn, 2 contradictory reasons just to confuse the heck out of the candidate? Seems right out of a Mark Holthe textbook.
The passport request is to allow IRCC issue an IM-1 visa, which is simply a single entry visa for the sole purpose of the holder landing in Canada as a Permanent resident. Until they do so, they aren't Permanent residents. PPR is just yet another step on the journey, albeit close to the end.
Also that letter could have been formatted A LOT better, but it is clear from the image that the rejection of the passports was due to the incorrect photos, based on the checkmark next to that specific bullet point.
Yes, but before it spills over to North America or some other developed nation, it mostly going stop in EU first. Some EU nations, are even saying that this is a political ploy and the refugees are simply canon fodder. That said, if Canada takes up these people as refugees, it will look like Canada took the bait. Belarus doesn't seem to be keen in blocking the influx of refugees to their country either, EU actually blocked some flights going from the places where these people are coming from to Belarus, saying that if they didn't do something, Belarus will just keep flying people from other countries into their country, then keep pushing them to Polish border to create a "crisis".