Work in Canada
Around 155,000 Federal Government Workers Went on Strike, Disrupted Canadian Immigration Services
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), a union that represents 155,000 members of the federal government, announced that 70% of government agencies would be affected during the strike. Also, the strike will be including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In addition, while the strike is ongoing, some government of Canada services will also be restricted.
The strike happened after failing to negotiate a wage agreement with the federal government by a deadline on Tuesday. This event will have an impact on several services and tax filings during periods of high demand.
The union claims that by creating more jobs, it will be able to prevent layoffs, better work-life balance, increase workplace inclusion, and raise salaries. On April 17, the government claimed that negotiations had taken place between the two parties in an effort to prevent a strike. At the time, the government put forth a 9% wage rise proposal spread over three years. This is in line with the suggestions made by the independent Public Interest Commission.
Ensuring that PSAC members can continue to work remotely is one of the important problems. According to the union, during the COVID-19 pandemic, public service employees proved to be equally effective working from home as they were in the workplace. Also, 90% of them wish to keep doing so. The demands, according to the government, would substantially hinder its capacity to provide services to Canadians. This would restrict its ability to manage personnel inside the public service.
IRCC Services Partially or Fully Disrupted
According to IRCC, some delays and disruptions can be anticipated in the following areas like processing applications, in-person meetings or events, citizenship ceremonies, contacting IRCC via phone, email, or social media, consular citizenship and passport services, and passport services in Canada.
IRCC Services Maintained
Some services will still be offered to applicants:
- You can still use your online accounts;
- submit applications by mail to IRCC;
- apply online;
- access some emergency services
The government also confirmed that the Canada Child Benefit will continue throughout the work disruption and that benefit payments would be prioritised for the following:
- Employment Insurance Act;
- Canada Pension Plan;
- Veterans Income Support Program;
- Old Age Security Program, and;
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
