Just a quick update:
So I applied for my passport last week on Friday at Surrey's passport office. They said it's going to take 2 to 3 weeks for the passport to arrive but I got it today in the mail. So exactly one week. Again surrey passport office, not Vancouver or Richmond.
Couple of things I learned:
1- Service Canada takes 5 to 6 weeks to deliver your passport if you apply through them, they have to send it to Ottawa!
2- You can not apply for urgent processing on your passport unless you have a flight booked in couple of days and you have evidence.
3- You have to pay $20 extra if you want to pick it up yourself. Otherwise they will send it via express registered mail with no extra charge (to any address you like)
Hope these helped.
Cheers,