pip_is_fab

As the timescale for family sponsorship app can be anything from 2 months to over a year, if i aplied now and received PR papers in the minimum time can i land in any canadian port or do i have to go to the province i intend to live? Only BC is so much further away.
Also as my "sponsor" is my partner who lives in the uk with me, does he have to come with to say he will be moving back to canada once i do? I dont want the PR papers to arrive too soon and then expire etc.
Anyone had any similar experiences??