RE:Finally a reply from Strathcona
Two weeks later.... finally got a call from CIBC (after six emails) confirming that one share was misssing and will be deposited "soon" into my account. Also, the spokeperson from CIBC advised that all other CIBC clients who were owed a share (fractional share over 0.50) will have the share deposited in their account "soon".
If you deal with CIBC and were shortchanged keep checking your account.
Also, I was told that no Canadian bank would give cash for fractional share in this specific case (Pipestone/Strathcona).
There was no excuse for the delay ("We are investigating").