Backlog forces longer wait for unsealing of Manitoba adoption records

People in Manitoba who have waited decades to get information about their adoption have to wait a while longer.

The post-adoption registry hired two more people yesterday to help deal with an influx of applications to see adoption records says Family Services Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross. That's in addition to four hired before June 15th and three more in April. 

That's when the province brought in legislation opening up adoption records pre-1999.

"So any person adopted before 1999 didn't have access to their records. Now that information is being available for adoptees as well as for the parents who adopted the child," said Irvin- Ross.

The Post Adoption Registry got about 750 applications prior to the new legislation being proclaimed on June 15. 

Irvin-Ross says the province didn't expect what happened next.

"We were very surprised about the number that happened after June 15th: the 1,000 more applications we got. That's on top of the 750. So it is edging close to 2,000. We want to make sure we have enough staff to address the backlog."

Applications from around the globe

Another surprise is where the applications are coming from, she says. The United States and other provinces and territories were expected. But Irvin-Ross says applications have come from as far away as Scotland, the U.K., Holland, Chile, Australia and Thailand.

The wait time in June according to Irvin-Ross was initially eight to 12 weeks. Now with the huge volume that is coming from all over the world, that wait time has been extended to 16 weeks.

"What I have heard is that people are frustrated about the wait. They have also expressed their desire to get the information. And they have shown patience for so many years. We want to reduce that wait time as soon as possible for them."

She says some of the files date back a long way and it takes time to gather accurate information. 

"I understand it is like Christmas morning for some of these people. To open up their file and see their parents' and in some cases their mother's signature on the birth certificate is extremely emotional. I was there when one woman opened hers and she was in tears when she saw her mother's handwriting."

Irvin-Ross was asked if even more staff will be hired to cut down on wait times.

"We are going to monitor what the wait times are and make sure we can keep improving on them. If there is a greater need we will address that."