Check out the statistics...but definetly the system should be better.
Go to
www.uscis.gov and there they explain all the process and the forms that you and your wife (plus supportive evidence) will need to fill out.
Saying this, since you are saying that you both are living in Canada, your wife needs to have a residency in the US to apply for you (unless she can demostrate that her residency in Canada was or is temporary) in the other case if it was permanent I really don't know how that things work probably somebody else in this forum has a similar situation.
There are two way for your permanent residency:
1. Consular Processing (CP), she files for you (I think she can do it at a US consular post) then there will be a bunch of other forms that you will need to fill out after your petition (I-130) gets approved. You will get your interview at the Consulate and then they will give you a permanent visa. Since you are a Canadian citizen I don't think that you will have the trouble if you want to come and go to the US while your visa is processing but who knows. You will like to check this out:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1315.html
Remember that your wife is not living in the US. She should check out with her Consulate about the process.
2. Adjustment of Status (AOS), Let's say that you and your wife decided to move to the US, and then from visitor you can file for adjustment of , is basically the same forms but are not called the same and are in charge of the USCIS. While on CP the Department of State has more decision to whom grant/denial a visa. In the adjustment of status you can ask for permission to work during the process of your case and for travel document or Advance Parole (AP). People who are in adjustment of status should get a travel document BEFORE leave the country for short trips even if you are a Canadian citizen.
The pro and cons depends from individual to individual. It is really your call. While by CP you just get in after several months on AOS you can get use to the places ask for work but really takes time and depend on your District Office where you reside (within the US).
Good luck,
PD. There is another post about another USC living abroad over here you can check that out or you can go to Britishexpats that are many people from Canada too. Good luck!
