Waiting time are the worse they have ever been. Arm yourself with... a lot of patience.
Have an RPAL and several restricteds for several years. Yet it took nearly 5 months for my wife to get her RPAL last year and that is with immaculate records and both ex-service. RPAL course taken in January 2012, paper received mid June 2012. All contacts on application were checked by CFO. CFO/SQ even ask wifey if she was forced or felt obligated to get her RPAL by me!!! Please note that she was an Anti before shacking up with yours truly.
About your application, most of the work is done by the SQ (Qbec CFO) and they are understaffed since early 2012: because of LG registry being pulled and fearing for their jobs being canned (civilians - not cops), 2 retired and 3 migrated to other functions. It's been hell of inefficiencies since. Evidences are that correcting the situation is NOT a priority by all SQ, Liebtards that got flushed last elections and PQ that have the same distorted mindsets on shootings sports as their predecessors.
Since your asking for just a PAL, there is less verification. It will come. Be patient, have a beer, stay out out trouble, have another beer, do your RPAL, another beer, shop for more guns, another beer...
What you can do is expedite your case by calling Miramichi, politely ask on status. If waiting on SQ disposition, kindly asked Miramichi to transfer you to those speeding snails. Once you have them on the line, introduce yourself with reference numbers (your application no.) and ask for status. They will tell you what you already know (busy, overwelming volume, short staffed...) Verify that they have you application in the waiting piles. Kindly ask if there is anything you can do to expedite or prioritize your case. Be nice and courteous, you may end up on top of the pile. Try to get their phone numbers and repeat process every 2-3 weeks. Squeeky weel gets the grease.
Good luck and have clean fun with your new shotty.