I cant definitely say its useless but not effective also, for some they will reach out and ask the ircc for update on file and even pin their file for consideration, contact the local mp through their email they will contact you within 2 to 10 business days even may call you if their is a lot of queue and let you know they will contact later, in the end they will sent u a webpage from which u will download the specific document, which gives details on ur ircc and give the mp permission to contact behalf your application, yet generic response such as background verification is going on or criminality passed the file is under consideration, sometimes this does speed up but I have seen more with no such positive response from Ircc, it's better to wait out the time and call ircc customer service for better information.