Will like to share my experience with regards to MP inquiry...
I sent an email to my MP on Monday stating all the necessary info and the valid reason for why I need my wife's visa ASAP so she can come over here. So 3 days later, I got a call from my MP's office regarding this email and he asked me to come to his office and meet personally regarding this case. Up there he asked me to fill out the consent form and a form stating why I need this information. He took both the forms and said just give me 2 business days max and I will tell you everything about your wife's application. what stage is it at, why is it being held up for 2 months for In Process and all that kind of information. He will call me back post lunch on Tuesday with all the updates. I was surprised how polite and fast this process was with definitive timeline. Will put this timeline to test and wait for Tuesday for the results.
In all this I asked him, what is the reason for the consent form since you called from my home just to sign this. As per him, CIC will not release a single piece of information about a person's application without a signed consent form (All because of our great Privacy Act). Not even to PM. Only time they can release is on a court order if that person is involved in a criminal offence. I asked him about one of my friend's experience where he did not sign anything and his MP gave him the status of the application. Surprisingly he said that there are few MPs and their Secretary who want to avoid this process by giving generalistic answer where applicant is mentally satisfied for what he gets and just waits. This is a very nasty trick of playing with people's emotions. He said that it takes good 30 minutes or so on the phone with CIC and CHC to give all the legit information and get the status update. In high crowded area some MPs might not like their office employees being occupied with this.
Something new to learn everyday.
Are there any people in this form who has got their status from MP without signing a consent form? You might want to think about GCMS notes just to be on the safe side...