Speakers Corner: Pay to apply? Job application fees questioned in Ajax

Have you ever had to pay a fee to submit a job application? In this week’s Speakers Corner report, we were asked why firefighters in one community are being charged more than $100 for a chance to work.

In Ajax, they’re looking for firefighters to join the ranks. But for just a chance to be considered, applicants must pay $100 + HST to submit their resume. It’s non-refundable so if applicants don’t get considered, the money is not returned.

“That’s totally unreasonable,” said Ajax resident James Gordon. “Where did that come from?”

We checked — it’s the only position in Ajax where candidates have to pay to apply. We also checked with six other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area and from Hamilton to Toronto; Brampton to Oshawa, none charge firefighters a fee to apply.

So what do town officials have to say about all of this? They declined our request for an on-camera interview but did release a statement.

““When recruiting for firefighter positions, municipalities tend to receive hundreds of applications. As a result, there is significant administrative work associated with processing the applications,” said Rachael Wraith, Ajax Corporate Communications.

“This includes reviewing the resumes, coordinating testing and other administrative work associated with filling the position. The fee covers any additional HR resources required to process the applications.”

It’s no secret to candidates looking for a job with fire departments, the field is very competitive.

“There are hundreds if not thousands of applicants per job posting,” said Jade McGarr. She’s a firefighters in training. She did not weigh in on the Ajax debate nor is applying there but said it’s a tough field to break into. It’s also quite expensive to get started.

“For me, off the top of my head, it was roughly around $15,000 and that’s on the low end.”

From education to certifications —  firefighter candidates already pay a lot up front before they even apply.

“Yes along the way there are going to be things and fees associated with it but at the end of the day, if this is your dream and passion you’re not going to let things like that stop you,” McGarr said.

But the father of a person applying in Ajax who reached out to CityNews but did not want to give us his name, said the fee is a slap in the face.

“Let’s say Ajax gets several hundred applications, multiply that by the application fee and that’s a lot of money coming in, all of that is needed for the selection process?” he said. “Other municipalities don’t charge this.”

CityNews did discover in Oshawa, under their fees by-law, the Fire Chief does have the option to charge an application fee.

Chief Derrick Clark said he chooses not to.

But in Ajax, under the current fees by-law, which must be approved by town council,  there is no line item for this application fee — one they are currently charging to applicants.

When we asked the town about that, we were told the fee will be discussed at the next council meeting on Monday, January 24^th.

Residents like Gordon say it’s maybe a good time to do away with it.

“I don’t think it’s ever right to charge someone to apply for a job ever,” he said.

CityNews also reached out to the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association.  A spokesperson said the union has no say on a town’s hiring practices.

If you have a story, question or issue you’d like us to look into reach out to us here.