I am in a similar scenario, it will be my 20th month this August, and both sides are 'in process'. My PGWP work permit ends on Nov 2018, and I have applied for the open work permit beginning of this month. Also, planning to take a trip this December.
I got in touch with the CIC call centre last week, the person said:
- For applications submitted before December 7 2016, CIC is working to have 80% of them processed within 26 months
- I can take a vacation outside Canada while my sponsor application is still in process, but CIC does not recommend it. The reason being, for any reason if the border agent refuses re-entry, then it will directly affect the application.
My 26 months will be done on 19th july. And they say you can't do anything if the processing time goes over.