Shorten PAL Approval Times

A friend of mine sent his paper work in for rpal January 6 never checked the website or called no special check marks and no interviews at all recieved in the mail February 20.
 
FIRST TIME PAL/RPAL BC 2018

01/22/2018-01/26/2018: CFRS/CRFSC
01/27/2018: Mailed application via registered mail - no errors on application and included photocopy of range membership to get it on file asap.
01/29/2018: Application delivered to Miramichi. [Day 1]
02/20/2018: CC charged and application shows up online as "completed initial processing - now in progress". [Day 23]
02/23/2018: Called CFP to follow up and ask if anything is missing. They said my application was processed smoothly and just waiting for photo scan. Was told to call back in a week if nothing changes online. [Day 26]
03/02/2018: Still showed as "completed initial processing - now in progress". Called in and was told my license will be mailed out in a couple days. Online status instantly changed to "license issued" as soon as I got off the phone. [Day 33]

Before I hung up I asked for my license number and expiry date so I could order some handguns and get the ATT process started while I wait for my plastic to arrive in the mail. (First restricted purchase takes couple days to process ATT, after that it's supposedly pretty quick).

No phone interview. No reference phone calls. Note I have zero history of run-ins with law enforcement (other than speeding tickets, etc.) and get regular background/CR checks at my job.
All in all, wasn't too bad of a wait. I still checked online multiple times a day to see if there was any progress...(hopefully).
Like everyone has said, be nice on the phone and don't act like a smart ass.

Happy shooting!!
 
Just a quick question: My license have been issued yesterday (2 March 2018). What is in average the time for the mail PAL to be received in Quebec Province?

Also, is it possible to call in to have the PAL number and order things like ammo online?
 
Took mine a tad over a week to arrive in the mail from approval date, Miramichi to Montreal.
And, yes, I believe you can call in to the CFP, authenticate yourself and they should be able to give you the PAL# over the phone, however I did not try this (Can't hurt to call and ask politely). My subsequent ammo purchases arrived faster than the RPAL did!
 
Timeline

Jan. 20/21: CFSC CRFSC course
Jan. 22: Mailed Application
Jan. 26: Application Recieved
Feb. 19: Application appeared online & Credit Charged
Feb.21: Called in- told nothing was missing and that references did not need to call in
Mar.6: Application has been processed and license has been issued

Total of 39 days Since application was received
 
I'm just wondering what the RCMP and the CFO's office do as "processing" and background checks other than running your name through Canadian Police Information Centre's (CPIC) database looking for a criminal record. Apart from the 28 day waiting period, what more is done beyond this 5 minutes of checking?
 
I called the cfo like many said to try , I’m on day 38 from being recieved , asked if I could have my references call in to speed things up she said they no longer do interviews there and whoever told me that in the first place is wrong , there was a long pause and then I said ok have a nice day ,so now it’s back to the waiting game I guess ,the call was awkward to say the least
 
Upgrading mine from a PAL to an RPAL. Current pal is still valid. I asked one of my references to call in and he was told they do not accept call-in interviews.

Timelines seem to still vary greatly.

Received my application Jan 9th
Charged my card Feb 5th
Feb 28th my status online changed to “completed initial processing. It is now in progress”
Today March 11th. No status change. Still awaiting. 61st day, no calls yet.

I’m guessing they’re in no rush since I’m not renewing/upgrading near my expiration date. Seeing that the range is wet muddy mess. Waiting isn’t a bad thing right now until it dries up.
 
I already have my PAL, but I'm now upgrading to RPAL. I live in Ontario. Is it worth it for me to to do the "no test results method" and just fax them in as soon as they've arrived to get the ball rolling? Or is it better to send the complete application because I already have a PAL and thus no 28 day waiting period nonsense?
 
Not sure about the no test results method, here in SK we get our test results in writing same day we complete the course(s). But note that I have an active/valid PAL and am applying to upgrade and has been over 60 days and my application came with test results . Really no rime or reason to some being faster/slower.

However from what I’ve noticed. Ontario has a pretty fast CFO at getting applications through.
 
Mailed in Feb 14th
Processing March 7th (or earlier not checking every day)
Initial processing complete March 14th.

Going smooth so far! I would expect it by the end of spring break at this rate. I probably won't bother to call in either. Well maybe if it goes past 45 days.
 
Well today is day 66. Called to check for an update and it was mailed to my provincial CFO on March 2nd. The lady I spoke to said that it will be a 30-90 day turn around from when my CFO receives it. So if I get this right. 80-140 days is normal processing time on an application? What happened to 45 days?

Unless she’s aware that my CFO is heavily backlogged with applications. Do I have any options here to expedite my application?
 
Well today is day 66. Called to check for an update and it was mailed to my provincial CFO on March 2nd. The lady I spoke to said that it will be a 30-90 day turn around from when my CFO receives it. So if I get this right. 80-140 days is normal processing time on an application? What happened to 45 days?

Unless she’s aware that my CFO is heavily backlogged with applications. Do I have any options here to expedite my application?

Nothing you can really do I'm afraid, unless it's taking an excessive amount of time you can maybe contact your local MP.
 
At last, I can fill in my details as an FYI for my RPAL process.! :)
Application received in Miramichi Aug 14th, 2017
After 45 days ( I think it was around 60 days or so) called, told app was at Ontario CFO.
Called CFO, told it would take 1-2 more months for the app to be assigned to regional FO.
Called early 2018, told it had gone for more screening to London office (I had told them about having anxiety)
Left messages at London office spread 2 weeks apart.
Feb 20th or so, received call from London office- turns out I had made error in my application with regards to my phone number-duh!
Had brief chat, no real issues.
Officer then spoke to my spouse the following week, then me again for about 30'-mostly pleasant chat, wanted to know my plan for storage, etc. Approved on Feb 27th.
First day on the range last friday, shot 200 rounds with my ISSC MK22- had great time. :)
Wait was long, but at least they were being thorough, even though anxiety and violence are not something that go hand in hand, whatever.

So now awaiting processing of pistol and restricted rifle...

Cheers
 
Ontario-

Upgrading from PAL to RPAL.

Received application in Miramichi Feb 6th. Called me March 1st, i missed a tiny box. Charged my credit card then and she said she would send it on. Showed completed initial processing. March 12th approved and being mailed. received March 19th.

All in all i have zero issues with the process on their end. very pleasant people who have a job to do. I have no issue with how long mine took. These steps are in place for a reason and the number of people applying in recent years has grown and grown year after year.
 
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