I have been a PR since November last year. My wife is currently an international student in Ontario and will complete her studies in September. She was planning to apply for a PGWP after that and look for jobs. However, a PGWP does not cover her with OHIP (we're in Ontario) unless she has a full-time job. So instead of applying for PGWP, could she apply for open work permit as my spouse? I have a full-time job so I can show proof that I can support her. This way she will be covered by OHIP.
The short answer is no. She doesn't qualify for an OWP. The spousal rule you are thinking of doesn't apply to your situation since you are a PR rather than a foreign worker. She would only qualify for an OWP if you sponsored her for PR as your common law partner using the inland sponsorship process (the OWP would be issued approximately 4 months after the PR application is received by CIC). Note that in order to sponsor her for PR as a common law partner you must have lived together continuously for at least one full year - and must be able to prove this cohabitation.
She will in fact be covered by OHIP on the PGWP once she has a full time job.
Thanks. I found this link which says what you just said:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-blog/2014/08/punishing-spousal-sponsors.html
The best way would be for her to apply for jobs after getting her PGWP. If she doesn't get OHIP we would have to buy our own private insurance. In the meantime, we would apply for her PR.
