This is what I received from the ministry:
Dear xxxxxxxx:
This is in reply to your correspondence dated December 14, 2010, addressed to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, concerning Family Class (spouses and partners) processing times in Islamabad.
The Minister appreciates your concern regarding processing times. Probably no other immigration issue causes more dismay or gives greater concern than processing delays. We understand that as processing times lengthen, anxiety levels increase, especially among those waiting to be reunited with family. We make every effort to deal with the applications we receive in the most efficient and effective way. However, the many steps involved in processing an application, coupled with the volume of applications, sometimes make it difficult to conclude cases in as timely a manner as we would like. In addition, processing delays often occur when the information provided is incomplete, unclear or documentation or processing fees are missing. In such situations, officials must stop the processing until they receive the required information from the applicants.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has finite resources to deploy throughout its extensive overseas network. Many visa offices have large caseloads that involve priority class applications and require sufficient allocations of CIC’s finite resources to ensure these cases are finalized as quickly as possible. Processing times vary from office to office due to caseload, .
Family reunification is a priority of CIC. Accordingly, every effort is made to complete the processing of spousal applications as quickly as possible. In addition to meeting the statutory requirements of being in good health and of good character, the visa officer must be satisfied that the applicant is admissible to Canada, and, in the case of spouses, that the relationship is genuine and not entered into for immigration purposes only. This means that foreign nationals who want to live permanently in Canada must meet certain requirements which include medical, criminality and security clearances. These requirements exist to protect the interests and safety of Canadians.
CIC conducts background checks by working together with partner agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and sometimes with agencies of foreign governments. CIC’s background screening processes are non-discriminatory and universal in their application. Any delays that our partner agencies may incur in providing input to CIC are something over which we have no control.
Thank you for taking the time to write. I trust that this information is of assistance.
D. Kit
Ministerial Enquiries Division