Since getting DM, I've been racking my brain trying to understand why some applications are so speedy and others wait and wait (even through Mississauga). I don't have a definite answer, but I think using the new forms and submitting everything up front helped. I wonder though-- similar to you we don't have joint accounts and I was worried about proof of relationship, so we submitted ~10 really nice letters from our friends and family. Maybe that helped speed things up, or maybe just dumb luck?
Keeping my fingers crossed for all those applicants still waiting from early 2018.
It is all about LUCK - nothing to do with the new checklist.
Sometime an officer picks up an application and STICKS to it till the DM hence the short wait. However, other officers pick up random applications and deal with so many applications at the same time, hence the long wait.
Plus if the application is straight forward the officer will stick to it till the final stage which is DM.