Federal cabinet ministers spoke in Ottawa today to inform Canadians on what impact the PSAC strike which has resulted in over 150,000 workers taking the picket line will have on various federal services.
Minister Diane Lebouthillier who oversees the Canadian Revenue Agency says the May 1 tax deadline will remain in place for both individuals and businesses. “Individuals and businesses still have the ability to file online so we will continue to accept filings through the duration of the strike,” Minister Lebouthillier said.
Minister Lebouthillier did note that in-person CRA services will remain limited for the strike.
Service Canada will also continue to see out its most critical functions, namely ensuring payments continue for things like OAS, EI and also ensuring SIN numbers continue to be issued for children 12 and older and new Canadian citizens.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould explained that those key services are part of Service Canada employee’s previous contract which mandated those critical services must be maintained during any strike action.
The Immigration department is expected to be one of the most severly impacted departments with Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, explaining that they will primarily be dealing with emergency situations, leaving most non-urgent immigration services on hold for the strike. “In situations where someone is in danger and are in need of assistance from immigration, we can help but people with pending applications and non-urgent matters should expect delays through the strike.
In an effort to keep the public informed of all potential service disruptions, the Government of Canada has provided a departmental breakdown of the various disruptions, which can be accessed online.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says the following programs and services may be affected by the strike:
- AgriInvest
- AgriStability
- Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program
- Wine Sector Support Program
- Youth Employment and Skills Program
- Federal programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Agriculture and Agri-Food Contact Centre may also be unable to take your call.
ACOA
As a result of the current labour dispute, some services to ACOA clients may be affected. If you are an existing ACOA client and have questions, you are encouraged to reach out to your account manager.
Canadian Heritage
Canadian Heritage says all funding programs will be maintained during the strike, but the delivery of the programs may be affected or delayed.
Canadian Heritage service standards for the delivery of its funding programs may affect the following three transactions:
- Acknowledgement of receipt of application
- Funding decision
- Issuance of payments
Transport Canada
Transport Canada says essential services would be maintained during any labour disruptions, but there may be impacts, “such as delays in accessing points of service.”
Services maintained
- Transport Canada Centres
- Transport Canada-owned and operated airports
- Civil aviation safety and security oversight
- Rail safety and security oversight
- Transportation of dangerous good oversight
- Marine safety and security oversight
- Issuance of pleasure craft operator cards and pleasure craft licenses
- National enforcement program
- Hours of service – Issuance of exemptions for federally regulated commercial motor vehicle undertakings
- Motor vehicle safety general information email
- Motor vehicle safety online defect complaint form and posting of new safety recalls
Services partially or fully disrupted
- Public outreach
- Regulatory work
- Aircraft services
- Services such as issuance of licenses, certificates, and registrations
- Motor vehicle safety 1-800 defect complaints and recalls hotline, defect complaint analysis, defect investigations, and recall oversight
- Transportation security clearances
- 1-888 service for ordering TC publications and forms, and answering questions on products
Canadian Transportation Agency
Services maintained
The Agency will continue to ensure that the national transportation system runs efficiently and smoothly for all Canadians.
- Regulatory activities, including the issuing of air licences, and air, rail and marine determinations will continue, with possible delays.
Services partially or fully disrupted
- Dispute Resolution activities may be subject to delays.
- Information provision activities will likely be delayed, for example:
- Provision of information about our programs and services
- Responding to 1-888-222-2592 telephone calls
- Responding to inquiries via our info@otc-cta.gc.ca email or through our Secretariat’s email, secretariat@otc-cta.gc.ca
Global Affaris Canada
Services maintained
Travel advice and advisories for Canadians abroad
Global Affairs Canada will continue to provide travel advice and advisories. This service will not be affected by labour disruptions. Up to date travel information is available at Travel advice and advisories by destination.
Consular services will continue to be offered through the Consular Operations team, and the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.
Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
EduCanada program
EduCanada is the official Government of Canada program for international students wanting to study in Canada. This program is not expected to be affected by labour disruptions.
International scholarships program
Global Affairs Canada’s International scholarships program supports Canadian post-secondary institutions by funding, managing and promoting international scholarship opportunities for Canadian and international students and researchers. This program is not likely to be impacted by labour disruptions.
Services to Canadian businesses from the Trade Commissioner Service
The delivery of services by Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service through regional offices in Canada and missions outside Canada is not expected to be impacted by labour disruptions.
Services partially or fully impacted
Services at missions abroad
Consular services, including citizenship and passport services, will continue to be offered to Canadians through our network of missions abroad. However, delays are to be expected. Canadians will still be able to access their passport and proof of citizenship applications and any documentation submitted at mission, as required.
For more information about passport and citizenship document services, please visit Canadian passports and other travel documents: Applying in Canada.
Document authentication services
The authentication of documents by Global Affairs Canada may be required before you can use a Canadian document abroad.
Possible impacts to this service include a longer response time for enquiries, delayed review and processing of requests for authentication services, or a delay in the return of authenticated documents.
To find out whether your document needs authentication or for alternatives to our authentication services, please visit Global Affairs Canada’s webpage on Document authentication services. This website is the only authoritative source of information regarding the authentication services provided by the Authentication Services at Global Affairs Canada.
Import and export permits
Global Affairs Canada issues export and import permits under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act.
The Act authorizes the government to control the import and export of certain goods as defined in various international agreements and intergovernmental arrangements, as well as the export of natural resources and other goods for the purpose of ensuring both adequate supply for and the security of Canada.
Most import and exports permit recipients should not be affected due to labour disruptions. However, a prolonged labour disruption could lead to certain impacts for a small number of permit recipients. Service delays may occur. For more information and regular updates, please visit the webpage on Import and export controls.
CanExport Program
The CanExport Program provides funding for exporters, innovators, associations and communities. While the majority of applicants will likely not be impacted, labour disruptions could lead to delays in processing applications, claims and payments.
International Assistance Programming
Funding provided to Canadian and international partners in support of poverty reduction, peace and security, and other global issues may be impacted by potential labour disruptions. These impacts could mean a longer response time for enquiries, delayed review of applications, and delayed payments to grant and contribution recipients.
As we learn more about a possible labour disruption, we will continue to update this page to tell you how services may be impacted.
Health Canada
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada says all essential services that could affect the safety, security and health of Canadians and other clients will be maintained during the strike.
Non-essential services could be affected by labour disruptions, such as delays in processing requests or response times to telephone and email enquiries.
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