Shorten PAL Approval Times

Tried phoning mirimichi today to check the status of a rpal upgrade , phones arnt working it seems ? I get threw after selecting the option and then it hangs up? Any one else having problems connecting to them ? Thanks ! Edit * there's now a voice mail saying "due to unforeseen circumstances their office is temporarily closed *
 
Major ice storm this week in eastern New Brunswick, with Miramichi being hit particularly hard. Power outages lasting several days, many still without power in the area. That's why they're closed, and good chance nothing was received OR processed at the CFC this week.

Of course, I sent my application in on Monday of this week.....FML....lol. This one week of power outage will probably set everything back about a month, but who knows. But then again, waiting a bit longer for a PAL is a much lesser ordeal than what they're dealing with down there right now, so we can't really complain too much.

Edit: Their voice mailbox now says they can't answer because they're "experiencing a higher than normal volume of calls". That either means they're open and getting lots of calls, or closed and there's nobody there to answer. Who knows....
 
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Got threw to them today , they were super helpful with me and gave me a file number , had my reference call in at the end of the day today so I guess Il see what happens next
 
calalta said:
Check it online, if it is there, you are good. If it doesn't show up they must be waiting for an original to start the process.
I have updated the post to include this.
Click to expand...

UPDATE :
I sent my Rpal/ Pal app in Dec 16th received it on Dec 22nd Miramichi
On Jan 6th I got a letter from the CFC saying that I had downloaded and used an outdated application form.
They sent me a correct form with the letter and asked me to fill it in and send back.
Sent the new app form back and they received it on Jan 19th.

My status is now : application processing etc....... and has the official received date of Dec 19th on the web site.

Not too bad , I cost my self an extra week by sending the wrong form the 1st time.
In reality just at day 28 ish . I will get my references to call in next week.
I have previously held a Restricted and Non restricted FAC back in the day

Jan 30
References called in all done.
I was told that they do not need to do an interview with me
Now sitting with the provincial CFO for final approval.....

My clock was restarted from Jan 6th and was told a min of 28 days from the 6th of Jan .
I was also told that it is more often than not it can take between 45 and 90 days.

Upate :
Called in today approved and licence issued, both Rpal/Pal
45 days total - the 10 days for sending in the wrong form ..........
All in all just over a month.
Great job CFC/CFO and RCMP. All agencies were always polite and very helpful whenever I called
Also got my LTATT tacked on before printing so it will be attached as well !

Thanks for all the advice CGN worked well
 
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UPDATE
Mirimichi received my PAL & RPAL application on January 13 2017. Even with the 28 day mandatory waiting period, my online application status has indicated it has been in progress for about a week now. This AM I called them to ensure everything was "good to go" & they told me it was. I asked if I needed to do an interview, & the polite woman said no. She asked me if I could kindly have one of my references call them today to conduct the reference interview, but only required one to call. She then told me immediately following the reference interview that they would then begin my backround checks this week. My reference called and did the interview. Super quick, only asked 3 questions. 1: Was there any evidence of me having any anger issues either in the past or currently? 2: Do I have any known mental health issues or instability? 3: Is there any reason that you can think of that he should not be issued a firearm license? All was good to go. Interview was about 3-4 minutes and done. All this on day 18. Fairly friendly, courteous and helpful. Well done for this department.
 
DONE! First time RPAL, Alberta. Followed the first post.

Dec 18, 2016 - Mailed off via Xpresspost. "Have you completed course(s)" checked NO on application.
Dec 28, 2016 - Canada Post tracking shows parcel delivered (Xpress post is 3-day National from me to Miramichi, so because it was super late, CP gave me a shipping refund)
Jan 10, 2017 - Application appears online: "Application Received Dec 28, 2016" "Your application has been received. It is currently being processed. You have been, or will be contacted either by phone or by mail for additional information. Please check the status again at a later date."
Jan 14, 2017 Attended/Passed CFSC. Faxed off results the same day. CFRSC postponed by training provider till the 28th of Jan.
Jan 28, 2017 Attended/Passed CFRSC. Faxed results to CFP.
Jan 30, 2017 (Morning) Completed initial processing, application in progress. I called in, they didn't need to talk to me, asked me to have one reference call.
Jan 30, 2017 (Afternoon)Had one reference call in for interview. Afterwards, status immediately changed to licence issued!

44 days from mailing, 34 days in Miramichi. I suspect I would have been exactly at the 28 day mark had it not been for mailing and course delays, and applying before I even attended my courses. This system works! Glad to live in a province that doesn't make you wait for stamped results.

Feb 6, 2017 Card arrived in mail.
 
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Glad to hear things are moving quickly. I should have read this sticky earlier. I waited for my test results before sending off my application. Test results took about a month to arrive and then I mailed everything express post.
My application was received on Jan 9th. Once I saw it show up on line I called and they also told me to have 1 reference call in. No interview with me. Both my references called so I'm hoping on Feb 7th when my 28 days are up my license will be issued.
Wish I didn't wait for my results, probably would have had my PAL already.
 
When it changes to license issued does that mean it's been mailed ? Or does it mean they have to mail it and could still sit there for awhile ?
 
At some point yes, but I'm thinking it like a schrodinger's cat scenario. My status changed immediately after my reference hung up the phone, so obviously there's a gap between that message and the actual mailing.

All I know is that it says to contact them in 2 weeks if I don't have the plastic yet.
 
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Mine is finally done. Here is the timeline.

Nov 12: Took CFSC / CFRSC courses.
Dec 23: Got stamped copies back and mailed Xpresspost.
Dec 29: Received at Miramichi
Jan 9: Appeared online
Jan 13: Cheque cleared
Jan 26: 28th day - heard nothing
Jan 31: Called in - all was good - couldn't reach my references - asked to have one call in.
Feb 1: Reference called in - Status changed to issued almost immediately.

The entire process was pretty simple. Longest wait was for the stamped results to come back.

I will mention, each time I called or have dealt with someone at the CFO / RCMP, they have been very helpful and very friendly.
 
lipervitch said:
Glad to hear things are moving quickly. I should have read this sticky earlier. I waited for my test results before sending off my application. Test results took about a month to arrive and then I mailed everything express post.
My application was received on Jan 9th. Once I saw it show up on line I called and they also told me to have 1 reference call in. No interview with me. Both my references called so I'm hoping on Feb 7th when my 28 days are up my license will be issued.
Wish I didn't wait for my results, probably would have had my PAL already.
Click to expand...

Are you getting RPAL or PAL?
I online status showing application received on Jan 9th too. I am applying PAL (not RPAL).
 
I called the CFC today exactly one month after my PAL/RPAL application was received. The lady on the phone was very kind and helpful. She asked me to have one of my references call in for a 3 minute interview. Otherwise, she said it would take a couple more weeks for them to contact my references. So, getting your references to call in for the interview is definitely a time-saver.
 
I finally got my licence today after about 4 months from when I first took my CFSC/CFRSC in Ontario.

Here's my timeline...
Sept. 24/25, 2016: Took CFSC/CFRSC
Dec. 23, 2016: Received stamped copy of tests
Dec. 27, 2017: Mailed application Xpresspost
Dec. 30, 2016: Application Received at Miramichi
Jan 11, 2017: Credit Card Charged
Jan 13, 2017: Called in to check on application. They told me to get one of my references to call in. Got one of my references to call in the same day.
Jan 27, 2017: Application status changed to "licence has been issued".
Feb. 3rd, 2017: Received Licence in mail

Took me awhile to get back my results back from the course. But besides that, everything was smooth sailing.
 
@Tonurr - did you get your results in the mail, or via email? I have read conflicting things on this - some mailed, some emailed, some both, some say the CFO doesn't send by email anymore, etc, etc. Still waiting on mine, but just did the course 2 weeks ago - I expect at least another couple of weeks.
 
JoeBloggins said:
@Tonurr - did you get your results in the mail, or via email? I have read conflicting things on this - some mailed, some emailed, some both, some say the CFO doesn't send by email anymore, etc, etc. Still waiting on mine, but just did the course 2 weeks ago - I expect at least another couple of weeks.
Click to expand...

I got mine back through mail. Initially my instructor told me I was going to receive an e-mail but I never got one.
 
My reference called in today for his interview and licence has been issued!! Exactly one month from the date they received my application. Not too shabby.

Baitcaster said:
I called the CFC today exactly one month after my PAL/RPAL application was received. The lady on the phone was very kind and helpful. She asked me to have one of my references call in for a 3 minute interview. Otherwise, she said it would take a couple more weeks for them to contact my references. So, getting your references to call in for the interview is definitely a time-saver.
Click to expand...
 
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