So now that my license has been issued and is in the mail I thought I would give a complete log of the entire process:
I live in Ontario and I applied for PAL and RPAL.
Application received in Miramichi on September 15, 2014 (Day 1) without test results. I indicated that the test results will come later. The test results I sent later were received by the CFP on September 22, 2014 (Day 8). I gave them a call on October 6, 2014 (Day 22) and they said the application is in the system (at this point it appeared online as well) and that I should fax over my course test results (they gave me a 1-800 fax number) which I did the next day (October 7, 2014). I then gave Hthem a call on the October 8th, 2014 (Day 24) to confirm the fax is received and they told me to have one of my references call in for the interview (they gave me a 4-digit extension to have the reference call). The person called that same day and once the interview was over I gave the CFP a call to confirm. They confirmed the interview was complete and now the last step is to wait for them to validate the application. On October 16, 2014 (Day 31) I checked online and the status changed to
All in all the process took 31 days to have the license approved and sent out. I will post an update when I get it delivered.
One thing I should mention is that 2 of the CFP people I spoke to told me that the interview process has changed. They no longer interview the license applicant and they only interview one of your references, not both. Also, you have to get them to call and it is your choice who you pick to call.
My reference was asked the following questions:
1) Confirm your contact info
2) Confirm the applicant's name and details
3) Is the applicant crazy
4) Can you think of any reason whatsoever for which the applicant should not receive a firearms license
My advice, as it is what worked for me, is to call often and ask what you should do next. Do not wait for them to call because it will probably add about 2 weeks in between steps. Once you complete a step, call right away or the very next day to confirm that it was complete. Also, when they tell you that everything is ready for the CFO to approve, keep calling ever 1-2 days and ask for status. Chances are your application will be approved after any one of those calls you make.
Also, I have not encountered any rude people. All were very pleasant and helpful.
let the shopping begin 
