Shorten PAL Approval Times

After being out of the shooting sports for more than 20 years, I decided to obtain my PAL and RPAL.

I discovered that in Manitoba if you took Hunters Safety prior to 1994 you did not have to write the PAL exam as the Manitoba CFO states that this training is sufficient. I called the Manitoba Wildlife Federation and had them lookup my Hunters Safety date as I had no idea where my certificate was. They were able to look it up in their database and gave me my date that I passed April 4, 1980 (two days after my 12th birthday). So I was good to go on the PAL.

Challenged the RPAL exam on April 11, and was successful. I received my course report that day.

Sent in my application via registered mail on April 16.
Received on April 18.
It was posted online on May 17.
Called in on for my interview and obtained my file number on May 22.
Had my referenced call in on May 23.
Just checked the RCMP website and my licence was issued today May 27.
Total of 40 days.
 
kwk1 said:
My app has been held up due to answering YES to one of the questions.
I already did the interview and so did my references.
RCMP called last week and asked about anti-depressant drugs I'm taking.
I had to get a note from my Dr. stating I was stable and of sound mind.
I just sent it to the RCMP, after talking with him today.
He said that letter would be good enough.
I wonder how long I will have to wait now.
Click to expand...

Well, after submitting the Doctor's note to the FO Friday, my license was approved and issued today.
App. received on March 15th
May 27th Current Status: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued.

If some are wondering about a license and answering YES to one of the questions, there is hope.:rockOn:
 
kwk1 said:
Well, after submitting the Doctor's note to the FO Friday, my license was approved and issued today.
App. received on March 15th
May 27th Current Status: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued.

If some are wondering about a license and answering YES to one of the questions, there is hope.:rockOn:
Click to expand...

glad it worked out for you
 
Pal + Rpal timeline:

Delivered: 2013/03/14

My interview as well as 2 reference interviews: 2013/04/25

Current website status shows: 2013/05/27
Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued. If you have not received your licence within 2 weeks please contact the Canada Firearms Centre Toll Free number. (1-800 731-4000)

I check it every day so I know this update is accurate as of today. THANK GOD!

Total time to date: 74 days.

That will put me VERY close to 90 days before license is received if nothing else goes wrong.
 
Can you call into the Ontario CFO to get your PAL #, if the site says that it has been delivered?

Follow up question:

Can you buy anything from LGS using just your PAL # and address?

Edit:
Woot. Called in, asked them about my license status, they said it was issued and will be printed friday. Asked for PAL# to make some online purchases. Got it. Made some purchases... Sweet.
 
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Not fair! I tried calling the Ontario CFO to get my number and they refused to give it to me over the phone. They said I had to wait for it to arrive by mail...weird stuff.
 
Can any1 tell me what kind of questions they ask in an interview for the applicant and the references? Just curious to know. Thanks.
 
Ottawa 09 Gearup said:
Not fair! I tried calling the Ontario CFO to get my number and they refused to give it to me over the phone. They said I had to wait for it to arrive by mail...weird stuff.
Click to expand...
Try again tomorrow, but do it sneakily. Ask about your license status, and then when they tell you that it's issued and printed... just say something along the lines of "oh btw, would it be possible if I can get my PAL license # over the phone, I'm looking to make some online purchases, thanks".

Eventually, you'll get someone who will help you out. It seems like it's not one of those rules written in stone and is at the discretion of the particular agent whether or not they want to release you that information.

In fact, the person I was talking to was "in-training" at the time, so there were 2 of them on the line.. the supervisor didn't seem to tell them it was against any sort of rule.
 
kooner101 said:
Can any1 tell me what kind of questions they ask in an interview for the applicant and the references? Just curious to know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Most of the question they ask is on your application you submitted but some are random.
Mine was a while ago but funny.

Q1. Do you like DRIVING FAST car?
A. I do like driving my sport car within Canada speed limit.

Q2. What type of movie you like?
A. I like to watch Disney movie and cartoon. Such as Snow White, Beauty and the Beast........etc.
( She was laugh for 30 sec. I told her because I like to watch Disney movie with my little kids. )

Also, they ask my reference about am I a drug abuse or suffer from depression. How and how long of my reference know me.

I hope you understand some question has no model answer. Good luck with your interview
 
So, ironically enough, the day after I made that rage-post about my application not being in the system, it showed up in it. According to the website, my PAL app was received April 15th, but it only said its completed initial processing. This is about the point I should call in to verify that all the information is in/correct, right?
 
Just sent my application in yesterday. How pitiful am I that I've already checked the tracking of the application on Canada Post's site twice?

I will keep track of my dates and post them once the process is over. In Ontario and sent app registered mail without my test results. Hope to come back and post results in less than 45 days (fingers crossed).
 
So, here we be. It is DONE.

A history -

April 19 Application (with all paperwork, including test scores) received Miramichi

May 17 Application shows online as "Completed Initial Processing". Told that I need to wait longer because the pages were not yet scanned in, otherwise I was ready for interviews.

May 21 Called after the long weekend to do my interviews. First snitty person I've dealt with there, told me to call back "every 2 weeks maybe or we'll call you" and that they weren't ready for interviews.

May 24 Waited until Friday, called in again. Did my interview on the spot, very nice lady. Got an app # for my references to call in. References advised it would be the following week.

May 27 Monday, First reference calls in.

May 29 Wednesday, Second reference calls in.

May 30 RPAL shows online as " Issued ".


Presumably it is now in the mail and, since I'm away on business next week, it should be waiting when I get home.

Time to Process, 42 days.
Actual Total, 29 business days.

Given some of the delays I incurred based on my own actions (calling on a Friday, received on a Friday, references adding several days) I am very pleased with the experience. Several phone calls and only one that was unpleasant.

Hopefully it goes as smooth for all of you :)
 
I spoke to someone last week at CFO ontario and she said my app was in queue but was able to have it "assigned" to a case worker and to "call back late next week" well now when I call the 7530 ext. all I get is straight to voicemail for the past 2 days lmao
65 days and counting
 
edgy said:
Good luck Jsnoopy, I just got thru to BC CFO yesterday, finally approved for my PAL, total time-- 123 days from recieving my app to approval!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I need all the luck i can get. And WOW! 123 Days!?...that's quite the wait. The most annoying thing about the whole waiting process is the whole:

"Note: An accurately completed firearms licence application normally takes about 45 days to process. Incomplete and inaccurate information can add additional processing time."

well...its been far longer than 45 days...and my application was complete and accurate.
 
What's messed up is the inconsistency. I'm in BC and I was 42 total days, 28 business days. Right over there is a guy who's waiting 6 months. Someone needs to take over and get the bureaucracy in hand.

Tell you what though... waiting for it in the mail is way worse than waiting for it to get approved.
 
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