Yes has to be ordered by the sponsor as the requirement for the ATIP notes is that you need to be a PR or a Canadian citizen to apply. The applicant can sign the representative IMM5744e form and the sponsor has to submit this when he/she applies for the ATIP notes.You and i are in the same boat . I am a feb 8 2019 applicant . I heard it has to be ordered by the sponsor. Is that true? Do you mind sharing how you order those notes , please? Thank you
You can go to the link below to know how it is ordered. It has not been updated recently but you will get the basic idea of ordering notes.
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/how-to-order-gcms-notes-step-by-step-process.513893/
The notes will take 30 days sometimes more as apparently they are over worked there too.
All the best and let me know if you hear anything.
I will be approaching the MP of my area shortly.