PAL Wait Time

MISTERMENEAR said:
I am inclined to chime in here. I mailed my PAL application to NS and was received via registered mail on April 4, 2022. It was completed the initial review and sent to the CFO for Alberta on May 25, 2022. I have yet to see any update on my application since then. After 2 calls, I have been told there is no problem with my application, just requires time for the CFO to review it. So to summarize, nearly 7 months in the hands of AB CFO and still waiting for approval.
Just thought I would let those waiting for, seemingly forever, their pal licenses, that they are not alone...
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that sucks.
I'm in AB as well, hit the 6 month mark from submittal today, and the RCMP portal still only says initial review completed.
Looks like I need to call the CFO tomorrow and find out why AB is taking several months longer than other provinces...
 
So I'm curious, on the PAL application in 2014 it had a section for charges, mental health, etc and they only wanted you to note it if it was within 5 years but now that has changed and there is no longer a 5 year limit. I was wondering, if a guy was "arrested" under the mental health act for depression episode and then let go a couple hours later after being deemed safe to go home, is that something they will see when processing an application several years (5+) after that event?
 
SRV2NV said:
What is your background like? Did you check any boxes on the application?
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20+ years ago I had a scrap with a fellow over verbal threat he offered up. It was merely a scuffle but he charged me. I had the charges dropped via a peace bond. That was disclosed in my application and a hand written letter was included for full disclosure. Aside from that, absolutely squeaky clean unless posting my support during the Freedom Convoy is still forbidden per JT and his cronies :HR:
 
I don't know if you're aware, but Bill C-21 will permanently ban anyone with a prior peace bond from having a license, even 40 years ago.

Now don't lose hope, I'm in the exact same boat, got into an altercation in highschool, signed a peace bond, I'm trying to spread as much awareness as possible on this quiet issue.

Yea, it's ####ing ridiculous and draconian and comical, this is a country that prides itself for being a country of rehabilitation and low recidivism.

You and I have a decent chance to be approved otherwise, but we will lose our license if the bill passes as is, since it's an OIC it'll come a decent while later, may never even happen, again don't lose hope, many others in our shoes.
 
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Wow, I didn't know that.

I know a few people with peace bonds from their early years. Are you sure they would lose their license though? Shouldn't it only prevent future applicants from being denied?
 
As the law stands yes, it is retarded and does not recognize people change and that some of the stupidest nonesense could lead to a peace bond, in theory if it passes when I'll be 65 years old I'll be told no when I apply for a license because I got into some altercation in high school half a century ago, I know guns will probably be gone when I'm 65, but theoretically that's what'll happen.

What's more, is that many people are completely unaware, I'm coming across gun owners who are learning to their shock that their hobby is going to be taken away from them forever for some silly nonesense 20+ years ago months after the provision was announced, one guy even forgot that he even had a peace bond.

A protection order that was proven to be on false grounds will also carry this draconian consequence.

Lot of people just look at these provisions think they are all good and think nothing more of it.

I spent a lot of the past half year in a state of stress, anxiety and depression over it, but recently I've become more optimistic and my mood has improved.

Did your friends not know?

Reach out and spread awareness!
 
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Final update for me...

PROVINCE: ONTARIO
APPLICATION TYPE: Restricted endorsement upgrade (original PAL issued almost 20 years ago)
APPLICATION RECEIVED VIA FEDEX TRACKING NUMBER: September 21, 2022
DATE OF CHANGE IN IWS STATUS: November 8, 2022
DATE IWS SHOWS AS APPLICATION RECEIVED: September 21, 2022 (so they do backdate it to when they actually received it)
CREDIT CARD CHARGED (RCMP-CFP GRC-PCAF): November 8, 2022
CURRENT STATUS: APPLICATION APPROVED AND UPGRADED RESTRICTED ENDORSEMENT LICENSE ISSUED: November 17, 2022
UPGRADED PAL CARD RECEIVED IN MAIL: December 19, 2022

For those waiting on their PAL physical cards, looks like the printer is indeed working through the quality of the printing / photo seems to be much worse than the last photo I sent four years ago even though the resolution for that one was far worse. But hey, I will take it, somewhat blurry photo and all...
 
Well I don't envy you to break the bad new to him, I know it'll hit him hard, have you done so already? Like honestly I'm surprised that people who are affected don't even know 6 months later.

Tell him to speak out.
 
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Sizotsm said:
I don't know if you're aware, but Bill C-21 will permanently ban anyone with a prior peace bond from having a license, even 40 years ago.

Now don't lose hope, I'm in the exact same boat, got into an altercation in highschool, signed a peace bond, I'm trying to spread as much awareness as possible on this quiet issue.

Yea, it's ####ing ridiculous and draconian and comical, this is a country that prides itself for being a country of rehabilitation and low recidivism.

You and I have a decent chance to be approved otherwise, but we will lose our license if the bill passes as is, since it's an OIC it'll come a decent while later, may never even happen, again don't lose hope, many others in our shoes.
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Sizotsm,
I have done a lighter dive into the C-21 bill and did not find where it says a peace bond will inhibit you from obtaining a PAL. I did find the newer "yellow flag" law that will create a 30 day period of which must be waited out prior to reinstatement of the license previously revoked, and if no cause for concern is found, the license will be issued. In the case of applications, if the CFO finds no cause for concern, the license will be issued. If you have a section of the new bill that you know specifically says different than this, can you cut and paste or share a link to to it? I am very interested in this.
 
MISTERMENEAR said:
Sizotsm,
I have done a lighter dive into the C-21 bill and did not find where it says a peace bond will inhibit you from obtaining a PAL. I did find the newer "yellow flag" law that will create a 30 day period of which must be waited out prior to reinstatement of the license previously revoked, and if no cause for concern is found, the license will be issued. In the case of applications, if the CFO finds no cause for concern, the license will be issued. If you have a section of the new bill that you know specifically says different than this, can you cut and paste or share a link to to it? I am very interested in this.
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"CFOs would not issue a firearms licence to anyone who at the time they apply is, or has previously been, subject to a protection order related to the safety of any person or an emergency weapons prohibition order (red flag)."

Whilst our firearms program is fairly forgiving they can't ignore law.
 

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, it is not over yet tho, many people will lose their license as result for #### years ago.

I applied for my license around the same time you did, back in April.

People with stuff in their past usually wait 1 year plus, hope to get it by late spring, if I get it.

But I am very very curious, how you did no know about this? Nobody is talking about it and

it is a problem in my opinion, not even the people affected know.
 
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Yes, that does seem pretty dire news. I had read a fair bit but did not correlate the protection order with a peace bond. My case was ridiculous enough that the crown suggested we not waste time and that I accept a peace bond and it would never have any affect on my life going forward. Guess that opinion was lacking in foresight. I will keep my hopes up until I get a rejection notice.
I appreciate the prompt and thorough replies Sizotsm.
 
Well as I said, this provision aside you have a pretty good chance at being approved, but you'll probably be waiting till spring/summer, the bill might not even pass, if it does, it will be late next year, you should get before then, I'd call your MP or MPP before then, that's what you do when it takes extremely long.

Ramember that you and I are by no means alone, I have spoken to a decent number of people in our shoes.

Don't fall into dispair like I did for months, this hobby was a dream I wanted to persue since I was very young.
 
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Sizotsm said:
Well as I said, this provision aside you have a pretty good chance at being approved, but you'll probably be waiting till spring/summer, the bill might not even pass, if it does, it will be late next year, you should get before then, I'd call your MP or MPP beforw then, that's what you do when it takes extremely long.

Ramember that you and I are by no means alone, I have spoken to a decent number of people in our shoes.

Don't fall into dispair like I did for months, this hobby was a dream I wanted to persue since I was very young.
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The other thing to keep in mind here is that as your application is already in progress, I don't think they can retroactively can it. The proposed legislation does stipulate the parameters will be in effect at the time of application. Your application has already been accepted and is in processing. Perhaps if/when C21 becomes law, MAYBE then, it will apply to all new applications. It's almost like that handgun freeze. Right up until the point of midnight of the day the freeze was to take effect - if you had already applied for a transfer even minutes before midnight, they will honour it.

Also, as you indicated others have been in your situation and have been approved, so that is a good indication you will very likely be fine - you probably will be contacted for an interview and I think based on what others have said, just be forthright and explain things - people are reasonable and can see that many of us have made mistakes in the past. They have likely interviewed thousands of people and have a sense of how to handle various situations. Just be forthright, transparent and honest with them.

I remember 4 years or so ago during my last PAL renewal - I was going through a divorce AND lost my job AND my ex had called the cops on me 18 times (yes, 18 times) trying to get my firearms taken away at the direction of the convicted felon she was seeing at the time (he has since died...no tears shed). Anyways, in speaking with the police, and with the CFP and with the CFO, I was forthright, measured, mature and polite and they were able to see very clearly that I was married to someone with significant mental and emotional problems and my PAL was renewed once more even though it took a year and I was subject to two interviews (even though my PAL was renewed three times prior to that). I live a very clean life - haven't even had a speeding ticket since 2004.

Right now it doesn't appear that the SECU committee is meeting until April. Sure the government can OIC anything in the meantime, but their long game is to put it in legislation so that a CPC government will have a harder time reversing it.

Keep your head up in the meantime and stay positive.
 
tresequis said:
New member here. It's been very informative to read this thread to get an idea of how long it is taking or has taken to get an RPAL. I thought I'd update my stats here as well to help with this process:

Alberta RPAL Registration
RPAL form sent by snail mail (ie. regular Canada Post): Sept 21, 2022
Application received by CFP: Sept 27, 2022 - Apparently Canada Post regular mail didn't take that long to get there (AB to NB). I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Credit Card Charged: Nov 10, 2022
Notice of "Application processed and license has been issued": Nov 18, 2022

The current status is that note indicating: "if your license doesn't show up in 2 weeks, please contact the CFP via that 1-800 number".

Will keep you posted when card shows up in the mail. Hopefully, this happens sometime in early December. That would be a perfect early Christmas present from the CFP.
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Hi Everyone!

I can happily post my last update for my application process as my card finally showed up yesterday in the mail. Here are the final stats:

Alberta RPAL Registration
RPAL form sent by snail mail (ie. regular Canada Post): Sept 21, 2022
Application received and initial review completed by CFP: Sept 27, 2022 - Apparently Canada Post regular mail didn't take that long to get there (AB to NB). I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Credit Card Charged: Nov 10, 2022
Notice of "Application processed and license has been issued": Nov 18, 2022
Physical Card arriving in mail via regular Canada Post: Dec 20, 2022

Well, it wasn't exactly early December when my card arrived but at least it's just before Christmas! Maybe I can take advantage of some boxing week sales now! It is funny to note that it took almost exactly 3 months for the process to be completed.

Stay positive everyone and hopefully, yours will arrive soon and follow a similar timeline.

Merry Christmas everyone!
 
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