Shorten PAL Approval Times

Alberta Application.PAL/RPAL
Application received at Miramichi: Nov-2-2015
Credit card charged: Nov-26-2015
Application appeared online: Nov-26-2015
Only one of my references was called:Nov-30-2015
Dec-1-2015 Called Miramichi,they told me that my picture was ready for scan and send to Alberta CFO.
Dec-9-2015 Called Miramichi and they told me that everything was good and they sent the application to Alberta CFO for final approval.
Dec-18-2015 Called again...samething...waiting on AB CFO approval.
 
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darbri said:
Alberta Application.PAL/RPAL
Application received at Miramichi: Nov-2-2015
Credit card charged: Nov-26-2015
Application appeared online: Nov-26-2015
Only one of my references was called:Nov-30-2015
Dec-1-2015 Called Miramichi,they told me that my picture was ready for scan and send to Alberta CFO.
Dec-9-2015 Called Miramichi and they told me that everything was good and they sent the application to Alberta CFO for final approval.
Dec-18-2015 Called again...samething...waiting on AB CFO approval.
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Nova Scotia CFO told me there was a 'hit' with regional police during my background check. Paid Halifax Regional Police 50$ to pull my record. Clean as a whistle... Ugh. Waiting to hear back today.
 
took PAL/RPAL mid august
mailed my papers sept 15
received sept 21
licence issued dec 18
currently waiting at the mailbox for my card

I have been calling them since nov 16. I finally go to talk to someone at the CFO office dec 18 around 1pm. told them my boss was wondering whats taking so long. they told me someone would call me back. nobody did. I checked the web site today dec 21 and it has been issued. not sure what took so long, just to have it pumped out in a matter of hrs after a phone call. I did write my local MP explaining that I need this for work and its costing my company money not having it. maybe that helped? for those wondering im an exterminator in ontario.
 
Alberta Application.PAL/RPAL
Application received at Miramichi: Nov-2-2015
Credit card charged: Nov-26-2015
Application appeared online: Nov-26-2015
Only one of my references was called:Nov-30-2015
Dec-1-2015 Called Miramichi,they told me that my picture was ready for scan and send to Alberta CFO.
Dec-9-2015 Called Miramichi and they told me that everything was good and they sent the application to Alberta CFO for final approval.
Dec-18-2015 Called again...samething...waiting on AB CFO approval.
Dec-23-2015 Called CFO and asked to speak with Alberta Office...Current Status: Your application has been processed and your licence has been issued. If you have not received your licence within 2 weeks please contact the Canadian Firearms Program Toll Free number. (1-800 731-4000) 51 days since received.
 
BC Application: PAL/RPAL sent Oct 2, 2015 regular mail.
Application appeared online: Oct 13, 2015
Cheque cleared my bank account: Nov 13, 2015
Watched online for any processing info. Nothing more than the "it's in process" line.
I called Dec 9 2015 for an update. Was told only thing needed was to have references checked and that they can call in to speed things up.
I asked the two references to call in.
Only one had called, who is also the Guarantor, on Dec 18, 2015 and after 5 minutes my reference told me that it's done and in the mail
Dec 18, 2015 evening, I checked online and it showed final processing and to expect it in 2 weeks.
Arrived in mailbox, Vancouver area, on Dec 24th.
Great present. :)

Now if only the shops were open on Boxing Day :p
 
Manitoba Application
Purolator'd in my application on November 12th
Received on November 16th
Application appeared online December 8th
Reference was called December 10th
Application approved and license issued December 15th
RPAL in mail, received on December 24th

Now in hand.
 
justinb1981 said:
Ontario:

CFSC completed October 4th
Recieved Stamped results November 5th
Application recieved in Miramichi November 9th
Application completed initial processing December 2nd
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Application was approved Christmas Eve day. I had answered yes to a personal history question and my application was sent to the regional firearms officer. I called the CFO and was given her extension. She was on vacation for a week so I called back. She did make a comment about me calling so soon but issued it after asking a couple questions. 43 days total from application recieved to PAL issued and right around 3 months from passing the CFSC to sliding the card in my wallet by the time I get it
 
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Province: SASK
Passed PAL/RPAL: Oct, 17th
Mailed in Application
Application received: Oct 27th called on the 27th of Nov. was informed our instructor's handed out-outdated applications! sent in the correct application... recvd in Miramichi Dec. 9th....still no credit card charged....call there once a week-no new info....glad its cold out!
 
Province: Saskatchewan

24-OCT-2015: PAL Course
14-NOV-2015: RPAL Course
16-NOV-2015: Sent application registered mail
18-NOV-2015: Application received in Miramichi
11-DEC-2015: Application first showed up online
22-DEC-2015: Called Miramichi, they said they couldn't reach references. Asked me to have one call in (did not require two). Had one call in immediately. I asked if they needed a spouse to call in, they said if needed, the Sask CFO would do that. That night, the application showed as approved, and the license was issued.
31-DEC-2015: License received in mail!

At this exact moment: Celebrating new year's eve, contemplating what I'll spend my hard earned dollars on!

How's that for fast turnaround?!

Happy new year!
 
Mailed in all forms November 9.
Received RPAL in mailbox December 23.

FAST - I wasn't even thinking of needing to call with a inquiry until the end of Feb.

Merry Christmas to me.
Just in time for Cabelas Boxing Day Sale.
- First purchase. Rem 870...starting New Years off with a bang. Clays tomorrow!
 
Just called in to ask if they were having website issues (returned a javascript error last night at home, and today at work). They stated firmly no, there is no issue with the site as far as they know. Also informed me that it will take about 5 weeks for any new apps to even show up in the system. Must be a lot of new applications lately.

And yes, there is an issue with their site. It is crashing with backend errors every few minutes. Multiple machines and networks, same issue repeatedly. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
 
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Just a small note regarding the navigation of the menu's, I called today and the automated operator suggested "...if using a rotary phone stay on the line..." so I pressed no buttons and was transferred within about 30 seconds to a lovely woman named Joan.

However that's where the good ended, apparently though delivered on the 2nd of this past December via registered mail, there is nothing in their system regarding my application. I feel this is not reason for concern...of course if anyone feels the need to shore up this belief in not being concerned I would happily accept. It was mailed registered and payment was a money order from my bank. Patience is a virtue I struggle with when I get something in my head as enjoyable as the ownership and accompanied shooting of my own firearm. Instant gratification however with the Government it seems is well outside the realm of...well any realm.

Cheers
 
If it makes you feel any better my application arrived via registered mail on December 10th and still not recognized on the website. I called yesterday and they told me to wait another week. There's virtually nothing we can do other than patiently wait. A buddy of mine who had his application in 2 weeks earlier has been issued his license this week, so there is hope.
 
RideauBound said:
If it makes you feel any better my application arrived via registered mail on December 10th and still not recognized on the website. I called yesterday and they told me to wait another week. There's virtually nothing we can do other than patiently wait. A buddy of mine who had his application in 2 weeks earlier has been issued his license this week, so there is hope.
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Ahh yes hope, the great motivator to sit and wait and have faith that a government employee won't lose your paper work. :)

Thanks though for the timeline, I see many posts from around the country and it seems, although just my opinion that Ontario processing takes just a little longer.
Again just my opinion, off to continue creating a shopping list of all the wonderful things I will be buying sometime after my hope, faith and patience has been rewarded.

Cheers
 
I live in New Brunswick but I sent in application registered mail.
They received application on 2 Nov 2015
Posted online 8 Nov 15
Called the Number to check on status every week
Sent to CFO for Approval 30 Nov 2015
Calling for update every two weeks no new updates calling Miramichi and they tell everything required was on the application.
Website information has not changed Since 30 Nov 15.
60+ days waiting

I was patiently waiting but now not so much!
 
z060-0 said:
I've been waiting 23 days for my stamped copy from CFO in Orillia. Does this seem a little extreme?
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No really when you consider most people try and take their vacation from before Christmas until after New Years, so you can kind of write off 2 weeks as not much gets done at this time of year. These are the turn around times I had in October.

Applying from Toronto, Ontario

CFSC course completed: September 26
CRFSC course completed: September 27
Test results sent in to CFO: September 28
CFSC & CRFSC Certificates processed by CFO - ONT: October 13
CFSC & CRFSC Certificates received from CFO - ONT: October 19 (5pm)
 
z060-0 said:
I've been waiting 23 days for my stamped copy from CFO in Orillia. Does this seem a little extreme?
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I finished my CFSC on December 5th and my instructor mailed the paperwork same day. I received the stamped copies after New Year's, stamped on December 22nd. I did submit my PAL application *without* the results as instructed in the first post and the RCMP confirmed you can fax in the results once you have an application number to associate with it (i.e. once your application shows up online, how long that takes is anyone's guess).
 
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