You can see the processing times here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/certif-processing.asp
From receipt of your application to final decision Total processing time 6 months
Note: If you live outside Canada and outside the United States and are applying through a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate, add an additional 3 to 4 months to the total processing time.
If you are applying on behalf of a minor child residing outside Canada and outside the United States and the application is submitted directly to the Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia, add an additional 6 to 8 months to the total processing time.
So you see, if the child is located in Canada, you would apply through CPO - Sydney and get the certificate in 6 months. If the child is located outside Canada, you would be better off applying through a Canadian embassy with a processing time of 9-10 months. If the child is located outside Canada and you choose to apply through CPO - Sydney anyway, you can expect a processing time of 12 to 14 months.
If you are in a hurry, you can of course list reasons why you would need it sooner and hope that you would get it sooner but another alternative to get a child to Canada quickly is to apply for the certificate at an embassy and at the same time, show proof of travel and apply for a child's temporary passport or facilitation visa. However, if the child has a visa exempt passport, you would of course be able to bring it with you to Canada without a visa.
