The Union of Taxation Employees (UTE), which represents workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), has launched the second phase of its national “Canada on Hold” campaign, intensifying its efforts to highlight the impact of sweeping job cuts at the agency.
UTE National President Marc Brière revealed that the CRA has cut nearly 10,000 positions since May 2024, significantly affecting service delivery to Canadian taxpayers and businesses.
“This isn’t just about numbers — these cuts are directly impacting Canadians who rely on the CRA for timely and accurate service,” said Brière. “Canadians are waiting longer on the phones, facing delays in processing, and struggling to access the services they deserve. We are calling on the federal government to reinvest in the CRA before service levels reach a breaking point.”
The union’s campaign began last month by focusing on the loss of approximately 3,300 call centre positions. Following public pressure, the CRA announced contract extensions for about 850 call centre employees. Despite this measure, Brière said much more needs to be done to restore capacity and meet public expectations.
The UTE has announced a rally in front of the Prime Minister’s Office this Friday to call for immediate action and reinvestment in the CRA.
Earlier this month, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne set a 100-day deadline for the CRA to resolve widespread call centre delays, even as the federal government proceeds with spending cuts across the public service.