Immigration problem us/Canada/Europe ?

Last november I visited Canada to be close to my wife. She is American, and I am from Europe. We were going throught the US immigration process at the time. I was in Canada for one full year, I entered on my passport, and extended my visa twice.

We have now found out the US visa was denied. She still has school in the US, I was prepared to move over and don't have many ties left to my home country. We will probably just emigrate to Europe but I would like to go back to Canada for maybe 6 months until we get things sorted out.

I was renting an apartment in Canada when I was there the last time. Am I allowed to say to the immigration officer in Canada, that I was temporarly living there for a year, and I would like to for another 6 months.

I know for the US you have to be very careful with the word "live" and instead use "visit". Is this the same for Canada? When I got my visa extended it said it was a temporary resident visa. Are you allowed to temporarly LIVE in Canada by means of renting an apartment for the duration of a visa?