I just got through on the phone — same as you, background check still not started. Early August applicant, MR accepted in November, SA in mid-April, no updates since. File is in Montreal (although we’re not in Quebec). They were very kind and nice but could only really tell me “the average time is 12 months, just keep waiting.”
Anybody else from August 2018 still waiting for something after SA (March 7)? (BGC still not started). Please give some hope.