want my friend to visit

[ainsle]

Hi: i have known my girlfriend for 8 years. First as friends and now we are a couple and want to marry, we want her to visit first for a month because we know getting here as my wife will take time. I have just returned from the canary islands where she lives, i lived with her for 3 months. We also have traveled to italy together with her 5 year old daughter last year. She was born in cuba but has lived in england and now spain. Now she is a resident of spain but still has a cuban passport. We need advice on what are our first steps should be to get her here to canada as my guest. I work , my pay a year varies from 60,000 to 90,000 a year, I own mu own house. Our first application for a visitor visa was denied. Is it important to have the letter of invitation notarized.? we need to know some tips? thank you in advance for any help.