First told 48 hours, now a couple of weeks!

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Chuckt5

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I am in the process of getting my first PAL. I sent my paperwork in via registered mail and Canada post showed the letter received at Miramachi on August 10th. I kept checking on line to see if it would show on the RCMP's website and even to this day (Sept 16) it still says "we do not have any information that matches the data you entered!

I called the main RCMP line to see what's up and they said they had my application and it was being processed. When I told them it didn't show up at all online they said that was odd.

After a few days I called the main line again and they said my application had been processed and was forwarded to the BCCFO for final approval.:)

I then called the BCCFO office and was transfered to Alberta last tuesday to find out where I was at in the process. They said my application had been forwarded to the BCCFO for final approval (woo hoo!) and that it should be done in 48 hours (thursday afternoon) so call back then for confirmation :dancingbanana:

Well, I guess I shouldn't have been so excited after all. I called back Thursday afternoon (like they said) and was told that they couldn't get some information as part of the 5 year background check outside of BC and needed to send my application out to the actual BCCFO. They also said its gong to now be a couple of weeks.:(

Talk about a let down! I thought I was going to get my PAL in a few days and now I don't know what to believe. I guess I just have to sit back and wait.

Can going to the BCCFO office help things at all (I'm not very far from its location)?

Should I be concerned?
 
Don't be concerned. A system was down, or someone with a similar name to yours has a some bad history. The CFO has complete access to everything and will clear it up. You may be contacted by someone from CFC or the CFO's office, when they get to your file :(

Sit back, take it easy, save more money... you're going to need it!
 
Ok, sounds good.

When I asked about being called for my interview they said I wouldn't be getting one.

Is this normal?
 
I had my interviews done, everything finished and my RPAL paperwork sent to BC CFO about 3 weeks ago. It should have been a simple sign-off but now because of a stupid hiccup they still haven't approved it. It is frustrating as my original docs were recieved by registered mail at Miramichi on July 16. But, there is little you can do but wait, call in occasionally and hope they get to it.

In reality I think that mine is just waiting on some person's desk to be looked at and it is taking them forever to get to that.
 
Bummer about your wait Duke. Hopefully it gets going.

I just called in again to see what the latest was on my PAL. They said it has been assigned to an officer in BCCFO for final checks and approval. At least it's still moving forward.

No idea how much longer it will be but I'll just have to wait like everyone else.
 
I've got 3 friends in to shooting the last year. I called in as there ref each time to make the process faster. (all 1PAL 2RPAL). All 3 had to do an interview over the phone, yes even the PAL. Just like I had to back in 07 and I took my PAL first, than RPAL in 08.
 
There is certain criteria for interview which changes from time to time. Not having an interview for a regular PAL is not unusual and is nothing to worry about and being interviewed doesn't mean anything different either.

Here's your problem, BCCFO is understaffed and absolutely swamped all the time. This is why you were transferred to AB as their office will help BC when they're not busy. AB can do certain things for BC, some things they can't and a license approval can be one of the things they can't if there's any kind of hiccup in the process.

Like someone else mentioned earlier, if you're John Smith and another John Smith has done something wrong then your application could be flagged for a CNI check (Criminal Name Index). In such a case the BCCFO's office will have to manually check criminal databases to be sure that the two of you are not one in the same. Again though, this only one possible reason for the delay.

Sorry about your luck, I feel bad that the program seems to run more smoothly in some provinces compared to others. Maybe writing your local MP about the wait time will get some additional staff hired. Cheers!
 
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