This was posted here a while ago and I kept it.

From what I've heard it's better to call early in the morning.
CALLING CIC FOR UPDATES Number to call: 1 (888) 242-2100 → *When the machine starts talking* → Information of process: press 1 →
Information of status: press 1 → your application type PR: press 2
Now it will ask the application number (you enter it) then it will ask the year of birth. Once you put the correct information the machine will start saying the processing time (WAIT until she asks if you’ve wish to listen to your status) then press 1… It will give all the most recent updates of you process and when it is done it will ask if you wish to speak to an agent, you press 0, now you will be on hold (it can take 20-30 min ) Im not sure if there is any shortcut but I always do it and works, you will get to listen to your most recent updates which in my case helped a lot.