The ridiculous situation is that many applicants with complete applications
have their study permits approved already if they applied a few months ago, but IRCC have deliberately held back releasing these approvals. It is making the lives of applicants very difficult for some and at the very least, it's causing anxiety.
There has been no transparency which would at least reduce the anxiety.
This 2 stage process would have been effective if the oldest applications had been processed first and if a IRCC offices had worked at the same pace. Some IRCC offices appear to have emailed no applicants at all about advancement to 2nd stage
In Quebec at least, it was confirmed that only a CAQ is needed for online study, no study permit. But some potential students will be reluctant to start without a study permit, no knowing if they'll be approved, risk of paying fees for nothing,.
I really think it's highly inappropriate to make false accusations against posters here like me. Most here will be in the same position, waiting for approval of study permit.