Just want to share...
I applied for GCMS notes through getgcms.com last December and I received my notes after 4 months (they requested a 90-day extension in January). My colleagues received the extension request as well.
I decided to order again on February 4th through an individual I met in one of the forums, she's a PR in Canada, and I got my notes after 30 days.
This is for the same application #.
All GCMS notes, irrespective of who requests them or where you request them are processed pursuant to the Access to Information Act. As per section 7 of the Act, IRCC has to release the GCMS notes within 30 day:
Where access to a record is requested under this Part, the head of the government institution to which the request is made shall, subject to sections 8 and 9, within 30 days after the request is received,
However, pursuant to section 8 or 9 of the Act, IRCC can seek extension on a case by case basis. See
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=464&top=1
Access to Information
For requests made under the Access to Information Act, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has 30 days to respond to a formal request. However, this period may be extended for a reasonable period of time if:
- the request is for a large number of records, or
- the request requires a search through a large number of records and meeting the original time limit would unreasonably interfere with the operations of the government institution.
A time extension may also be granted if consultations are necessary to comply with the request that cannot be completed within the original time limit. If the required time extension is greater than 30 days, the head of the institution is required under subsection 9(2) of the Act to inform the Information Commissioner of the extension. We will tell you about the extension and its length, within 30 days of getting your request. It will also let you know that you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner about the extension.
Due to the excessive extensions slight by IRCC in late 2019 and early 2020, the Office of the Information Commissioner has already initiated a systematic inquiry.
https://www.oic-ci.gc.ca/en/resources/news-releases/information-commissioner-initiates-systemic-investigation-department
The report of the inquiry will be tabled before the Parliament.