Well our applications were submited in december but reachef the VO in January
Next they stayed on hold for close to 2 months before some AOR were issued...
Now I may considered march as th month when processing should have started
I believe that By application submited in march they refer to any applications including tourist visas work authorizations etc... Those get directly submitted to the VO while our applications go through Mississauga first.
In short : for us submission in December for sponsorship approval is very close to submission in march to VO Buffalo for PR.... Just my 2 cents...
Looks like you were still able to get your IA though