Many thanks for your reply.Per new checklist, it specifies: original police certificate or clearances from each country where you were present for a total of 183 days or more in the four (4) years immediately before the date of your application.
So I believe it would be: if you submit your application on 25OCT17, the time taking into account would be 25OCT13 - 25OCT17.
I was out from Oct 25 2013 to Jan 19 2014. Came to canada on Jan 20 2014. Became PR on July 20 2014. So i guess i was only out for 3 months from last 4 years.