Yes totally normal 6-8 months are new normals these days. But being proactively tracking the statuses is good for us.
>Ordreing GCMS notes
>Calling IRCC
>Raising CSE's and
>Emailing Ralph Goodale MP(goodale@sasktel.net ) are the only options left with us. But when you call IRCC ask the status for individual things like Eligibility, Security and Criminality. If Eligibility and Security are not started we can request the agent to send a reminder to the concerned Visa Officer to check for the update as 6 month time line has completed. Agents will send this reminder only once, agents may or may not send the reminder completely up to their discretion. But, it's our responsibility to ask. You can also email Ralph Goodale Member of Parliament by sending your Application number, Name, Date of birth, AOR etc and ask him to check the statuses for Eligibility, Security and Criminality. They usually reply back in less than a day but, they do this only once, next request can only be placed after 90 days. Ideally they don't need to reply us but, they are helping us out to whatever extent they can. They just provide the status update, and can't do anything to expedite or approve your application.
Just for your reference, below was the email the IRCC agent sent to CPC Ottawa when I asked them to send the reminder on Phone, later I received email from CPC Ottawa stating that file is under queue for review and they can't tell any specific date when i will be reviewed.
Reminder sent by Agent to CPC Ottawa:
The last BF/due (Bring Forward date for your understanding) date for this client's application was 2019/05/13. The client is asking for an update on their file since no action was taken and delays have passed. Could you please verify?
Reply received to me from CPC Ottawa:
Please be informed that your application is currently in queue for review by an officer. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide you with a date on which your file will be reviewed.
Please be assured that you will be contacted immediately should further information be required or regarding the next steps in your file.
We thank you for your patience and for keeping your correspondence to a minimum.
Thanks,
Vinay