Somewhat related, I have noticed on my last few international arrivals at YYZ that Priority bags have actually arrived a) first and b) without waiting for 30-45 minutes at the carousel for anything to arrive. So the worst part is that they arrive at carousel 6 which is almost the furthest from the exit. This is a vast improvement over how it used to be. I hope it is permanent. Without it the OP's experience would not be possible.

If you are coming from European departure cities (or US IIRC) then you don't have to collect your bags at all any more, according to the signs, if you are connecting to domestic destinations.