A social worker from Ontario found herself stuck in Labrador without a job due to a backlog of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) background checks. Sarah, who chose to withhold her last name for privacy reasons, relocated for a new job that necessitated a vulnerable sector screening (VSC). Despite submitting her VSC application in mid-August, Sarah has not received any updates from the OPP despite her efforts to reach out to the processing unit.
Scheduled to commence her new position on Sep. 5, Sarah anticipates facing a minimum of three months without income, expressing her financial struggles that led her to leave Ontario in the first place. Triton Canada, the designated vendor for OPP background checks, defines a VSC as a comprehensive assessment for individuals working with vulnerable populations, encompassing a criminal record check, a local police information check, and a vulnerable sector inquiry.
The current delay in processing VSC applications before July 22 is attributed to the high influx of requests, as stated by OPP spokesperson Erin Cranton. The processing timeline, which normally ranges from 45 to 55 days for complex checks, can be further prolonged due to various factors. Although the OPP has not disclosed specifics about individual cases like Sarah’s, she faces uncertainty as the days since her application submission continue to accumulate.
Acknowledging the strain faced by numerous personal support workers in similar predicaments, Miranda Romanowicz, CEO of the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association (OPSWA), highlighted the detrimental impact on the healthcare system and patient care. With ongoing efforts to address the backlog and enhance processing efficiency, the OPP mentioned implementing strategies to mitigate the delay.
Facing the prospect of extended unemployment, Sarah contemplates seeking temporary employment at a local Walmart to sustain herself until a resolution is reached. Despite her attempts to escalate the matter to Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, the lack of immediate solutions has prompted her to explore alternative job opportunities. The OPSWA has collaborated with Triton to facilitate criminal record checks for PSWs, offering interim solutions amid the backlog.
In response to the burgeoning backlog issue, the Solicitor General’s office affirmed their commitment to streamlining VSC processing timelines and minimizing delays. Notably, the Toronto Police Service is also grappling with a backlog in background checks, currently addressing applications received before specific dates to alleviate the strain on applicants and employers alike.