"...It's a completely useless additional step..." So is Ontario's, mandated, club level, "safety" course. No law says that is required either.
Everything about the whole process is useless. It's designed to discourage new shooters and be as big a nuisance as possible.
In any case, it all depends on were you are. The Chretien Gang gave the administration of the FA to the Provinces. So every Province is different.
The registration certificate, what used to be called the Green Card, can take months to arrive. So if you haven't joined a club yet, go do that.