Update:
Done PAL and RPAL courses in January, filled in forms and sent off including course results.
Received on February 4th according to tracking number
Called them mid-February, then showed up online 2 days later as received on Feb 9th.
Called again March 18th, told to ask one reference to call in which was done the same day.
Status online changed March 25, 'license issued and should be received within 2 weeks"
Total 43 days from date received to date issued.
Called them again on March 26 to ask for my license number and expiry date which I needed to register for a gun course for new gun owners (they only had a few spots left to register), which was provided by a friendly lady. Registered for course without any problems.
Arrived in mail today April 1st, in BC, 50 days in total since they received it.
My wife's application was sent in the same envelope to them and also arrived in mail today, same timeline.
For what it is worth, I called a gun store in Vancouver on March 27th to ask them to keep a rifle for me of which they had only one in stock, explaining that my PAL was issued but not in my hands yet, and I did not want to lose this particular rifle. They said they can keep it for me, but when he heard I had the number and expiry date of my PAL he said he will start the process to transfer the rifle if the government can confirm that PAL is valid. I asked him if it was legal and he said if they can confirm my PAL is valid it is perfectly legal. I received a shipping notification today. If you go this way make sure you have someone with a valid PAL to store your firearm for you in case you get the firearm before your own PAL shows up.
Overall I was quite impressed with their timeline, very helpful and friendly service, especially considering they are likely short staffed and overloaded with work. It is a huge responsibility to grant a PAL or RPAL, I certainly DO NOT want them to cut corners and issue a PAL by accident/oversight to the multitude of bad guys out there. The wait feels really long but it is necessary to keep guns out of the wrong hands.
My advice is to make SURE your form is filled out completely, send your safety course results along with your form, MAKE SURE your spouse is on board and tell your references why you need the firearms.
And then call them a few times a week or 10 days apart, be friendly and respectful. Good luck