Close X
Monday, September 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Will services continue if federal workers strike?

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Apr, 2023 12:30 PM
  • Will services continue if federal workers strike?

OTTAWA - The union representing the largest number of federal public servants announced a countrywide strike mandate on Wednesday.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says workers are ready to strike at any time, and whether they do is dependent on how bargaining with the Liberal government goes in the coming days.

In the event of a strike, many federal services from taxes to passport renewals could be affected — with departments and agencies now signalling which essential services will continue during a strike, and which may be disrupted.

Here's the lay of the land.

Canada Revenue Agency: The agency announced its own strike mandate last Friday. In the event of a strike, benefit payments would be prioritized and the Canadian Child Benefit would continue. The CRA is encouraging people to file their taxes online due to delays in processing some income tax and benefit returns, particularly those filed by paper. There may be longer wait times at contact centres.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard: Fisheries and Oceans Canada's conservation and protection program, health and safety-related fishery closures along with the Canadian Coast Guard's search and rescue, environmental response and icebreaking services will still be running but may be operating at reduced administrative capacity.

Some services that may be partially or fully disrupted include Canadian Coast Guard lighthouses, wrecked vessels, and licensing and funding programs by Fisheries and Oceans.

Canadian Transportation Agency: The agency says it will ensure that the national transportation system will continue to run. There may be some delays to things like dispute resolution and information provision.

Employment and Social Development Canada: Essential services such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, employment insurance and social insurance numbers will be maintained. However, there could be processing delays and longer wait times.

The delivery of passports would be limited to clients experiencing humanitarian or emergency situations. There would also be partial processing delays to the Temporary Foreign Worker program, the Canada Education Savings Bond, the Canada Disability Savings Grant and the Canada Disability Savings Bond.

Global Affairs Canada: The department says it will maintain essential services such as travel advisories, the EduCanada program and international scholarships program.

Services at missions abroad, document authentication services, import and export permits, the CanExport program and international assistance programming may be partially or fully impacted.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Expect delays for most services, including processing applications, in-person appointments and citizenship ceremonies, passport services and contacting the department.

Services offered by outside organizations would still be available, and online applications, accounts and emergency services will be maintained.

Library and Archives Canada: Service points in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax along with services for the Government of Canada, galleries, libraries, archives and museums will be maintained.

There could be delays to ordering archival and published material, requesting copies, making access-to-information requests, making licensing or copyright requests and for services to publishers.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police: Regular police services would continue across the country, but services such as administrative support, media relations, web updates and access to RCMP buildings may be disrupted.

Transport Canada: Essential services would be maintained but services such as public outreach, regulatory work, aircraft services, issuance of licenses, certificates and registrations, transportation security clearances and other motor vehicle safety hotlines could be partially or fully disrupted.

Veteran Affairs Canada: In the event of a strike, periodic payments to veterans would continue uninterrupted. That includes disability benefits, income replacement benefits and additional compensation for pain and suffering.

However, the department anticipates a reduced ability to process new payments. New benefit requests or those that are already in the queue will be prioritized on a needs basis.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. tables law to fight racism, discrimination

B.C. tables law to fight racism, discrimination
Premier John Horgan says in a statement B.C. is shaped by the diversity of its people, but systemic racism and colonialism have had long-lasting effects of unfairly holding people back for education, employment, housing and other issues.

B.C. tables law to fight racism, discrimination

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon
A marathon volunteer spotted the device shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday and promptly called 9-1-1. Vancouver Police cordoned off the area, and bomb technicians from VPD’s Emergency Response Team were deployed to examine and destroy the device.

Vancouver Police say suspicious device responsible for delaying the start of the BMO Vancouver Marathon

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services
Jenisan Jeyakumar, of the City of Markham, has been charged with personating a Peace Officer and obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration The suspect was arrested and it was confirmed that he is not employed in law enforcement in any capacity.

Toronto man Jenisan Jeyakumar charged after posing as a police officer to obtain sexual services

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged
Pictures of the damaged landmark – a tourist attraction at the corner of Cambie and Water Street – began circulating on social media Saturday night, showing shattered glass on the side of the historic clock. Vancouver Police have now launched an investigation to determine if someone intentionally damaged the clock.

Vancouver Police investigates after Gastown steam clock damaged

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson said concerns about the potential negative impact of the proposed legislation put forward in July 2020 led the province to consult further with First Nations, families, health-care experts and drug users.

B.C. drops plans for controversial youth OD policy

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays
A statement from B.C.'s Agriculture Ministry says the flock has the highly infectious H5N1 virus and has been placed under quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.    

H5N1 avian flu found in flock in B.C.'s Kootenays