I had the same trouble moving from VanCity, SunLife, and one more, and even into TD. All of them were dropping the ball (TD forgot).
Ultimately, I bypassed VanCity, wrote a very firm letter with short deadline directly to SunLife and the other firm, and pointedly cc'd the regulatory body on that letter. Everything was then done within days. (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada is one, but due to the type or place of investment I had to go somewhere else. I forget where, but IIROC told me.)
I'll be starting a thread shortly asking about RBC options.