@ tinkermarie. Hi. It is really a good news that your friend got the PR just one week after the OWP..

Do you know if CIC asked your friend for police certificate, finger prints, or any medical examination?
It makes sense that single applicants get PR faster. I applied as common law, but my partner is from Canada. I don't know what happen in this situation. I guess they process it as a single applicant.
Does anybody know?
thanks