I have read a post relevant to MR issuance from the global thread. Some of them mentioned a term BFD - "Bring Forward Date". Practically means, that when VO receives our files from CIC NS. They have been stamped with this BFD. For example, your file got PER on November, more or less local VO received it on the month of December. They will have a BFD of somewhere around Feb or March or even later. It was mentioned that it's a standard protocol for the processing.
Most of the time VO officers will likely touch your file on the said BFD. Prior to this date, it will sit on their waiting list. They have also highlighted that background & criminality and other checks don't take that long.
These info's were obtain from applicants' GCMS notes.
So we can assume, the more applications received in the VO office the more likely later BFD's are assigned accordingly.
In short, still Patience is recommended. Darating din tayo dyan..