Does Montreal keep the original certified RCMP police record check (if beneficiary has criminal record) or will a copy suffice? It was a pain to obtain the record check and we will need the original record check for the CR1 anyway...I would hate to have to wait another 4 months for the same peice of paper (wife was refunded "digital" fingerprint service offered at Commisionaires since it was not working).

They keep the original! A normal canada wide police check doesnt take that long. Most places are a few days, some do it in minutes.

Yes they keep it !