Sharing my experience
Pal/RPAL courses done on March 10 and 11. Got the result same day.
13th March Application sent (non registered mail)
Called the application center on 17-4-2018 and was told that they cannot check my status because it has not been entered into the system yet. Lady officer was really kind and informed that they are taking a little over 28 days right now to complete applications and my application should be online any day now.
I was told to call every few days because sometimes online does not give out all the information.
Apr- 18-2018 . Day after calling the application center, the status " Your application has completed the initial process. It is now in progress"appeared online. They received my application on the 19th of March. So it appeared online in 30 days. Not sure if my phone call made any difference because it appeared online the next day after I called.
Apr -20-2018I called them to make sure my application was complete and there is no missing information. I was advised that there is nothing they need from me and the next step for them is to scan my picture and continue with the "progress".
April 27-2018 . Status changed to "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) ".
No references called.
It took exact 46 days from me sending the application till the license being issued. Technically they took less than 45 days to complete their process after receiving application.
It's shopping time.
UPDATE License received in mail on 03/May/2018