Latest news with #BobHamilton
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to cut 280 permanent roles
The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin said in a message to staff Thursday that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. The message said the CRA will run voluntary departure programs over the coming months. The Government of Canada website says that permanent employees affected by workforce adjustment processes will receive a 'reasonable job offer' when possible for another position in the public service. However, the message says that won't be the case this time around. 'Unlike previous (workforce adjustments), due to fiscal constraints, guaranteed reasonable job offers cannot be provided to most of the employees affected,' it says. Story continues below advertisement Affected employees have already been contacted by management. 1:42 Lower energy costs drive down inflation, but grocery prices stay high The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It also says that while the agency's priorities and strategic direction remain unchanged, it's clear that adjustments to the workforce will change how it delivers on them. 'We need to reassess the way we work, which will involve reconsidering the number of projects we undertake, streamlining processes and governance, and pursuing innovation to further optimize our work and the services we offer,' the message reads. 'It is likely that some internal services will be impacted, with some services being eliminated entirely.' Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. More than 3,000 jobs at the agency have been cut since 2024, the union says, including debt collector and call centre positions. Story continues below advertisement CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. As of 2024, 59,155 people worked at the Canada Revenue Agency, up from 45,019 in 2020, when the pandemic hit. In 2019, the size of the CRA was 43,908. 2:12 Finance minister suggests Liberals will not table 2025 annual budget In light of the new cuts, the Union of Taxation Employees says it's demanding accountability from the Government of Canada and calling for 'an immediate moratorium' on job cuts at CRA. 'With every position eliminated, processing delays grow longer, calls go unanswered, files pile up, and citizens are left behind in uncertainty,' union head Marc Brière said in a news release Friday. 'Those who remain are being pushed beyond their limits—expected to do more with less, while working under mounting stress and growing job insecurity.' Story continues below advertisement The federal public service has shrunk for the first time in a decade, Treasury Board Secretariat data shows. Between 2024 and 2025, the number of government employees has dropped by 10,000, from 367,772 to 357,965. In 2015, there were 258,979 people working for the federal government, with that number increasing until now.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
CRA cutting up to 280 permanent jobs in response to fiscal constraints
Canada Revenue Agency signage is shown in Ottawa on Friday, June 28, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin say in a message to staff today that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025. Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
23-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Star
CRA cutting up to 280 permanent jobs in response to fiscal constraints
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin say in a message to staff today that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
National Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Canada Revenue Agency confirms 280 job cuts, mostly in capital region
The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting 280 jobs, most of them in the National Capital Region, employees were told Thursday. Article content Article content A statement from a spokesperson for CRA said the job cuts would mostly impact internal services and the agency would be initiating voluntary-departure programs 'and, where required, retention processes.' Article content The news was delivered to employees in a message from CRA Commissioner Bob Hamilton and Deputy Commissioner Jean-François Fortin. Article content 'The CRA, just like any other government funded institution, must operate within its budget,' the spokesperson's statement said. 'The financial challenges facing the CRA have been driven by the end of temporary program funding, government-wide savings initiatives and a shift in operational pressures. This is an agency-led decision driven by fiscal responsibility. Article content Article content 'Throughout this process, the agency has remained focused on minimizing the impacts on both employees and service to Canadians.' Article content The memo from Hamilton and Fortin said executive positions were also affected by cuts. 'Employees affected by (workforce adjustments) have already been contacted directly by their management.' Article content The notice also said CRA had been examining its operating budget since early 2023 and had taken previous steps to meet required government savings as well as to ensure ongoing financial viability. Article content In April 2024, it announced a moratorium on converting term employees to permanent status, and in November there were new hiring restrictions as well as cost-cutting measures such as reduced consultant contracts, travel, training and overtime. Article content Article content 'Throughout this entire process, our goal has been to minimize the impact on you, our employees, on our core business, and on service to Canadians. That continues to be our focus,' the memo to employees said. 'At each stage, we have been transparent with you about the difficult decisions we have had to make, and we remain committed to keeping you informed.' Article content Article content 'Further analysis is currently underway, and we will continue to communicate with you when decisions that could impact employees are made. Given the amount of work underway, we don't anticipate any new (workforce adjustment) announcements before the fall,' the memo said. Article content
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
CRA cutting up to 280 permanent jobs in response to fiscal constraints
OTTAWA - The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting up to 280 permanent employees in response to fiscal constraints. The workforce changes will impact branches across the CRA but the reductions will mainly impact employees in the National Capital Region. Commissioner Bob Hamilton and deputy commissioner Jean-François Fortin say in a message to staff today that executive positions are also being impacted by the reductions. The message says the CRA is taking steps to meet required government savings after examining its operating budget over the last two years. Earlier this month, the Union of Taxation Employees announced that the Canada Revenue Agency wouldn't renew contracts for more than 1,000 term workers across the country. CRA spokesman Etienne Biram says a number of factors have impacted the CRA's budget in recent years, including the sunsetting of COVID program funding. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
