I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again -- none of us know what's going to happen. Since it looks like the CIMM committee is not going to really study the bill, and that it is going for the 3rd reading very soon, that means that the bill could be ready for Royal Assent within 4-5 working days, at a minimum. If you're eligible to apply on July 1st, I wouldn't bet on your chances. Royal Assent is a complete black box that none of us know anything about, even the expert who's telling us in ALL CAPS that there is naught to fear.
When you have to lay a bet, bet on Harper and not the anonymous Internet commentator who never learned about lower-case letters.
All these things about how CIC needs a long period of implementation are hogwash. First of all, they can be preparing for it already (doing so has nothing to do with Canada being a democracy or not); second, what's there to prepare? Reprogram the time calculator, pass out a new list of documents that their officers need to check, include bullet points of what to look out for. There won't be too many applicants at first, since most people who are ready to apply are applying now, so they can reorganize on the fly while they work through their backlog.
I agree that it would be nice if the current government delayed implementation. But you know what? The current government is made up of jerks.
If you think the nice NDP is forming the next government, then prepare to be disappointed . . . Neither should you bet on the Liberals repealing this law -- again, it is broadly popular, and where is the political party that wants to stand up and say "I don't want immigrants to swear that they're going to live here, let them do as they please!"? That political party is deeply in the minority . . .
Finally, this IS democracy . . . If the liberals and NDP want to be listened to, they'd better win a majority of seats.
You are lucky... I would be eligible on 4th of Oct and I do have pre-pr time, so if I wont make it, it would be next 2 years