bringing my wife to Canada

I am trying to sponsor my wife for permanent residence in Canada. It's not easy.

I have been unable to get through to the immigration department's call center, for a start. The only way seems to be to call and wait for all of the automated messages to end. After three minutes, they tell you, "We're too busy," and hang up.

Using the automated system however, I have learned a few things.
1. The wait time on my evaluation as a sponsor is now 10 months, not one month as I was told before I left Japan (there's a new process if you're applying from outside Canada, but it's not yet been applied to people applying inside the country). The wait time on my wife's evaluation is essentially open-ended (no estimate can be provided because it's a case-by-case thing). My wife cannot leave the country during this whole time.

2. My wife cannot have a work permit or health coverage until the first portion (my evaluation) is complete.

3. The total fees are $550 for the application and $490 for the right to PR status, plus a fee to extend your visitor status ($75) and a fee for a work permit following the first 10 month period ($150).

This is going to be harded than I imagined. Harder, I think, than it should be since there's no recourse for her but to follow this course. It's actually easier (and far cheaper) to get into Japan than it is to get into Canada!

I hope we haven't made a mistake.