As per my prior posts, nothing arrived since May 25th, for an application with a representative in Canada, with a Canadian mailing address (I'm currently back in my home country).
From outside the Canada I called the +1 613 944 4000 number (the menu system has changed a bit). They did not ask if I was currently in or outside Canada. Waiting time was 10 minutes. Not too bad. Just another monetary investment in getting to Canada...
Seems the card has not yet been dispatched from the local CIC office.

Rep on the phone followed up with them, and has chased the local office, and has promised it will be sent forthwith.
Hopefully it will arrive soon - can't tell if they do all this on purpose to some candidates to ensure we
really want to come.
Great thread btw, lots of useful info.