hesperis... "...or not wanting to bother proving to the government that there's a valid reason they didn't hire a Canadian for the job."

Ah... not too sure about that one, but, I made have misunderstood. Especially since most of the legal immigrants qualify for minority status in the hiring game. That is to say, if the immigrant has the same qualifications as the Canuck, the immigrant gets hired because of the extra points given for minority status.

Could you point me to the immigration legislation and/or policy that requires this proof? I asked a former Citizenship Court Judge about this and she is unaware of this requirement. But, she has been retired for a number of years.

As for spouses, they are never denied citizenship... even with a criminal record. It may take longer than the usual 3 years, and more red tape, but, denial? Again, I may be wrong. I'll ask the judge next time I see her.