Getting a criminal records check in the Yukon is becoming a lengthy affair and is creating problems with the delivery of child care in Whitehorse, according to those in the business.

Linda Peters, owner and operator of the Downtown Days day care since 1991, said the problem, which "has been going on for a number of years now," has reached critical mass.

"First off, it's not the way it's supposed to be," said Peters of the three to four months' wait time to process background checks on her staff.

"We're supposed to get new staff cleared in a timely fashion ... in the meantime, we buddy them with someone who does have clearance but in the end, it really does hamstring your programming no matter what."

Peters said what used to take one or two weeks turned into a six- to eight-week process last year and because of the backlog at the RCMP, can take up to four months now.

"And they have to be renewed every five years, so maybe I should apply for mine now, because it might take five years to get it done," Peters quipped.

A spokesman for the Whitehorse RCMP said this morning he was unaware of the concerns and had to confer with a sergeant before commenting.

Yukon NDP Leader Todd Hardy said Tuesday the RCMP are averaging 100 criminal records checks each week, which is overwhelming for limited staff charged with completing the procedure.

"It does create a lot of challenges for those who have to have it, and how do you deal with the situation of (mandatory checks versus optional ones)?" Hardy asked. He was referring to situations where retail employees who require the documentation are competing with applications from education and child care workers, for example.

"Is there some flexibility there?" said Hardy. "And what do you do in the meantime - shut your business down?"

Justice Minister Marian Horne was questioned about the what could be done to relieve the backlog during the premier's Whitehorse community meeting Tuesday evening.

She said she has only just learned of the situation.

"I became aware of the problem Tuesday morning and contacted the RCMP about it," she said.

Premier Dennis Fentie said there is little the government could do as it and the RCMP are separate entities.

The government will not change its policy with respect to employees who require a criminal records check, Fentie added.

"We are going to be very careful about short-circuiting these requirements when it comes to dealing with children," he said.

The Star requested information on which government employees require security checks.

Liz McKee, the director of policy and communications for the Public Service Commission, referred to the government's human resources policy, which states that decision rests with each department head.

"You'll have to contact the departments to find out which positions (require the check)," McKee said.

"We don't have that information."