I am also in the same situation. I have received my passport request in last week, but we are in India. After reading from forums and researching, this is what i am gonna do
1. Make the authorization letter ready, format is in the thread http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t144415.0.html;msg2227140#msg2227140
Doubt here is, do i need to get authorization letter for each applicant? i.e., one for me, my spouse and for my son (minor). So for my son, i will be providing authorization letter on his behalf as he is a minor ?
2. Make representative forms ready, again one for me, my spouse and son? Representative will be my friend in Canada as he will post the passports from within Canada to CIC and will provide his address to receive them. So i guess i need to provide "Appoint Representative" form?
3. Find any of my friends/relatives going to Canada, handover authorization letter, passports and appoint representative forms and other requested documents/photos
4. This friend will given everything to my friend in Canada, he will post the passports, representative form and other requested documents/photos to CIC and will provide his address to return the stamped passports.
5. Once he receivs the stamped passports, I and him will find any of friends/relative coming back to India
6. My friend will provide authorization letter and passports to him to bring it back to India.
This seems to be the proper way as per my understanding, still i have queries which i indicated with "?" above. It would be really helpfull for all the people in this situation if seniors can answer them based on their experience and knowledge.
Thanks,
New2Can