Hi Fellas.
I know that the situation seems unbearable, but all we can do is think positive and be patient.
I'm aware of the November 28th problem, but that is relatively normal in a Month such as August.
The CIC offices run fast during spring and Fall (February, March, April, May) and (September, October and November)
The rest of the months are simply nuts. Half of the bureaucrats go on Vacation (Christmas or summer), so that's why the processing times seem not to move at all.
On Summer is specially bad, because they take the vacation by batches (on June, 20 employees, on July, another 20...ect)
So this is the root of the mystery. On December-January they take the week or two weeks of winter vacation and we cannot forget all the holidays in between those two moments.
For example, if they are willing to send you a letter, and they do it on Easter, you can expect the letter within... 15, 20 days?
Because there will be a holiday and several weekends in between.
So, let's all be patient fellas, we will make it.