I just want to narrate my experience as my file was awaiting results of social assistance check from Ontario for 3 months.
In Ontario, these types of requests from IRCC are handled by Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCSS) from a central office. I reached out to MCSS by filing out a webform available at
https://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/wp/en/contact-us/
An officer from MCSS contacted me a few days later. They asked me for the application file number, checked their records and confirmed the date they had responded back to IRCC. The officer also stated that they receive these requests from IRCC electronically via secure mail, so there is no question of any request going missing. They are responding to IRCC within days and there are no delays from their side.
As my file didn't move, I contacted my MPP for assistance requesting that the province resend their previously sent response. A week or two later, I got the response in writing that on my request they had forwarded their previous response to IRCC again.
I have to say that the provincial official was very helpful and responsive.
After that, I contacted my MP who after reaching out to IRCC confirmed that IRCC had received both responses from the province. MP's office asked me to wait 2 weeks and exactly after 2 weeks, there was movement, and a decision was made.