I can't answer your first question, though I think you will get your passport back in the next couple of weeks, but re the 2nd question, from my experience, the appointment with the local CIC office (Edmonton) was more convenient. When I called CIC the morning of Jan 18th after I received the COPR in the mail, they said it would take 6-8 weeks for the local office to call me to set an appointment. But I received a call from the local office on the afternoon of the 18th itself for an appointment on Jan 21st. I'm not sure if I got lucky or if this is the norm, but this was my experience. Hope this helps!