You have a reasonable point and weight to your stance. Surely, we do not know the whole picture, and I can only speak for myself, and based on my anecdotal experience, and observations, situational anecdotes from other applicants posted on this forum. Taken that into consideration, as well as a communal Google sheet tracker (which is also anecdotal but evidential), multiple news pieces of IRCC operations we can deduct that it is somewhat random and haphazard.
Is there a bigger picture? Sure, there is! Can we, at least know about it? I don't know, you tell me whether we are worthy of knowing it or not. Are they working according to some criteria and algorithm? I am 100% they are, at least they strive to, and God bless them in this endeavor! IRCC is not a privately owned company, they don't sell stocks on Wallstreet. It is a public, government body. It should fall under public scrutiny, checks and balances as any other public body. We are in the right to know about their algorithm, ways of processing applications whether it is by categories, priorities or based on first in first out basis. There should be more transparency in the process. There should be some kind of periodic report. The official website says - 19 months. If I have a monthly report, and estimated time I can plan my life around it, I can plan my business trips and work, life. Not vice versa. Nevertheless, this application turns into a blind affair. A gamble. A lottery of some sort, and all the answers I can get is - "There is an algorithm, and certain criteria." In other words - don't ask us questions, you are too dumb to understand our highly sophisticated algorithm and processing criteria (I'm saying this facetiously, of course).
To sum up. Even the official
IRCC website says the following:
You can see the clear line that says:
"We can give you an estimate, based on your application type". All I ask is that IRCC should be able to provide an estimate processing time based on individual application, maybe from a stage to stage, preferably through the online tracker interface. Just some simple, decent, humane, old-fashioned accountability.
By any means, I am not complaining. If there is a bigger picture - so, be it! IRCC, for the most part is doing an amazing job! I am convinced they are working hard and tirelessly with countless applications thrown at them. I also recognize that it is not simple to build the mechanism for a transparent accountability in processing. I want them to be better, and I want to be proud of living in a country that respects checks and balances, but so far, my experience with them asking on my application was (again, I'm saying this facetiously, of course):