Sent passports today, hopefully they'll be back in about 2 weeks.
There is still a few things I think it wouldn't hurt to share (WARNING: These are just my understanding of cases I've seen among my friends and not necessarily correct or accurate):
1-GCMS notes are not the most accurate/up-to-date info that you receive about your application. In our case, my medical extension result, police certificates and rcmp record was missing from the last note we ordered. However, there are important stuff in there as well; as an example having security sub-activities means your application is going through security check which extends your waiting time and does not happen to everyone.
2-There are due dates for many items in the GCMS notes, and also one for assigning your application to someone to take care of your docs. Those are dates around which you'll get updates.
3-Processing is completely case based! you can be asked for the original of a document you've sent the translation for, while your friend who has sent the same thing is not.
4-When the IP status turns to DM, nothing magical happens in e-cas! I've read people talking about the address disappearing from ecas and that didn't happen to us.
5-Progress seems to happen in large batches; We were many applications (sometimes with AORs months apart) who got their RPRF, IP, DM and PPR together. So if you find out something is happening to a lot of applicants, probably it will happen to your application too very soon.
6-Sharing your experience, your frustration and happiness through this long process always helps! Let's keep sharing
