True!
Problem is not just a covid-19 delays they have increased numbers of delays since last few years, IRCC office in Sydney, NS still have a same number of staff working as it was 5 years ago. Increased numbers of applicants didnt increase the capacity of the system. Even applying for renew of PR cards applications take super long means like no prioroties in their work. I know some people who were applicants of citizenship 5 years ago they received their AOR within a week of application delivered to the office and started processing and in most cases they were able to take their oath within 6 months of application. Anyways times are different nowadays but IRCC still supposed to keep up with increased numbers otherwise more poeple are going to be left behind without travel documents such as PR card and passport.