It depends on ur luck. I knew someone entered canada without even being checked and she had been outside of canada for more than 1.5 years and didn't apply for a returning permit.
I have the same question as yours. My wife left Canada in June last year after the new act effected. She has been living outside Canada for 9 months. I am wondering also whethe she can come back again. Did you get any other information about it? Thanks.
haha,
no problem at all, my friend's roommate asked the immigration bureau 2 weeks ago, the officer said no problem at all.They just judge you by the new immigration law.