The Canada Revenue Agency has extended the contracts of roughly 850 call centre workers after growing concerns that staffing shortages are undermining service for Canadians.
CRA spokesperson Etienne Biram confirmed that the employees, whose contracts were due to end in September, were notified of the decision last week.
The move comes as the Union of Taxation Employees ramps up pressure on Ottawa, warning that recent cuts have left the agency unable to keep up with demand. The union says nearly 3,300 call centre jobs have been lost in the past year, leading to longer wait times, dropped calls, and frustrated taxpayers.
Marc Brière, the union’s national president, said the campaign’s central demand is for the government to halt staffing cuts, protect existing jobs, and rehire employees. “Service levels are too low, and Canadians are paying the price,” Brière warned.
Biram acknowledged that the CRA’s budget has been squeezed in recent years, but said extending the contracts was part of an effort to stabilize frontline services.