That is what I thought. But this post suggests otherwise:
Hi Everyone!
My PPR date is March 12th 2020
FInal decision date is May 6th 2020
I got my COPR delivered to me on May 13th 2020.
I'm currently in USA and need to travel to Canada before June 15th.
I called IRCC to ask if I can travel and
they say that my application approval date is March 12th 2020 actually and I should be fine to travel (given anyone with approval dates before march 18th is allowed to travel).
My questions is -
is PPR and approval date the same? (found this link also
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/permanent-residence/express-entry/procedures-finalizing-approved-applications.html)
Anyone in same situation and did travel to Canada recently? What proof did you use to show your date of approval?