Thanks for sharing! I agree with your analysis.
One thing very clear and nearly stated everywhere on IRCC websites is that the IRCC is prioritising applicants who are exempt from travel restrictions. We are still in the pandemic here, and unfortunately there is a lot uncertainty associated with international travel and border restrictions. The policy does not only apply to the outland economic immigration applications but also temporary residency applications such as work permit and TRVs and such. Because of this policy currently in placed, outland applications are often delayed compared to the inland.
Another thing is that IRCC has diverted some resources to the ongoing Afghans crisis. They have set a target to settle Afghan reviews this year, which was not foreseen and prepared before August 2021. So, it is not unreasonable to expect delays in recent EE applications across all streams. IRCC perhaps needs time to deal with historically high volume of applications (ECE+PNP+refugees+new pathways for HK, int graduates, health care, essential workers and whatnot).