A Toronto-based security company, which holds multi-million dollar contracts with the City of Toronto, has severed ties with its human resources chief following a scandal over missed paycheques for its guards during the holiday season.
Back Pay Arrives After Public Exposure
Employees of One Community Solutions (OCS) have confirmed that back pay is finally hitting their bank accounts. This comes after security guards, known as Community Safety Team (CST) members, reported missing three consecutive pay periods, including crucial payments ahead of Christmas. The company, which patrols areas around city shelters and parks, sent messages via a workforce app stating that outstanding payroll from December 19 was processed on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The timing is notable, as the payments began flowing immediately after the Toronto Sun published an initial report on the issue. A message from the "OCS management team" acknowledged the "extremely difficult" situation and thanked staff for continuing to show up for work. It also promised that a second late cheque, the first January pay, would be processed by Monday, January 12, at the latest.
HR Departure and Lingering Allegations
Mitchell Cawley, the former head of HR for OCS, confirmed his departure from the company on Friday, January 9, 2026. He declined to provide further comment, stating that previous news coverage had dragged his name "through the mud." His exit follows internal messages he sent to staff referencing the "struggles and growth pains" of a small company.
Despite the incoming back pay, serious employment concerns persist. Three guards have told the Sun that OCS does not pay for overtime, regardless of hours worked, and does not allow sick days. The provincial Ministry of Labour was contacted for comment on these allegations but did not respond before publication.
City Contracts and Potential Liability
OCS has been awarded over $40 million in contracts from the City of Toronto since its incorporation in 2020. While the city and Simcoe County (another client) have denied any issues with their payments to the company, the structure of some agreements is complex. The Sun reported that third-party shelter operators have contracted OCS directly, creating a separation from city hall.
Employment lawyer Ryan O'Connor of Taylor Mergui Law Group noted that practices like late wage payment and denial of overtime are illegal. He also suggested the City of Toronto could theoretically face liability if it knew about a contractor's illegal employment practices. "Responsibility for compliance with employment standards almost always rests with the actual employer," O'Connor wrote, but a client could be liable in certain circumstances.
The company also provided brief security services at the South Riverdale Community Health Centre in July 2023, following a fatal bystander shooting. OCS did not respond to requests for comment on the payroll issues or the HR departure.
