Layoffs in sight at the Shawinigan-Sud Tax Center?

At the Union of Tax Employees, this seems to have already been understood. “We have been saying it for two years, we are shrinking the building, there will be job losses, then Champagne is “no, no”, then Angers is “no, no”. Well there, we are right in the middle of it,” protests Julien Nobert, president of the local branch of the union.

Mr. Nobert thus castigates local decision-makers, who in his eyes have made the maintenance of jobs in Shawinigan an electoral campaign theme, while the non-renewal of certain positions appears more and more likely.

Of the approximately 2,000 CNRV employees, around half would not benefit from a permanent position, according to the union, while a moratorium on the granting of permanent status to holders of a temporary contract is in force. Also, despite the “temporary” designation, some workers have been working within the Agency for several years, we note.

“The normal ratio, which we would be entitled to expect, is 80% permanent, 20% temporary,” argues Julien Nobert.

The union president deplores the period of uncertainty in which workers are plunged. Last week’s communication, on the eve of a long leave, sowed disarray in the ranks, he explains.

“Why announce a wall to us, without giving us the color?” quips Mr. Nobert. Beyond the workers, it is the service to the population which risks suffering in the end, he anticipates. “It’s already talking about service to the citizen, it’s going to be great soon!”

Difficult in the circumstances to enforce the clauses of the collective agreement, also observes the Tax Union. “It’s ‘don’t complain, otherwise you’ll lose your jobs!'” thunders Julien Nobert, outraged at the deterioration of working relations, which he says he witnesses.

Staff informed “in a timely manner”

At the Canada Revenue Agency, a written response was sent to us. We explain that we want to find the balance between “current requirements and the need to ensure profitable operations in the future”. In particular, the end of activities linked to the pandemic is mentioned to reassess the Agency’s priorities.

“Over the coming months, the Agency will have to make adjustments and make decisions to ensure its sustainability. Although this involves making difficult decisions, she is committed to providing the best possible service to Canadians.

— Extract from a written communication from the Canada Revenue Agency

The CRA says it understands the concern that the situation may cause among its employees. She indicates that a support program has been put in place to help them. “Free, confidential, neutral and voluntary assistance, permanently accessible”, is thus offered to them, it is explained.

The coming days could provide more details as to what happens next, suggests the communication sent to us. “The Agency continues to review its spending to ensure the efficiency of its operations, while respecting its commitments to Canadians. As this review progresses, it is possible that new measures will be implemented. If this is the case, all staff members will be informed in a timely manner.

Champagne tries to be reassuring

At the office of the member for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, François-Philippe Champagne, we tried on Monday [jour férié] to clarify the situation. If we are able to confirm that a communication was indeed sent to employees, it is difficult to provide details on what happens next.

Itself seeking clarification, the staff of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry remains cautious about the outcome of the “expenditure review” underway at the CRA. “For the moment, we are being told about a hiring freeze, and not about other things,” they say.

Minister Champagne’s office nevertheless says it is monitoring the situation closely. “We will ensure that if there are uncertainties that apply to employees [de Shawinigan]which we communicate to them clearly,” we indicate.

We also reiterate that the file of the National Verification and Recovery Center of Shawinigan-Sud remains a priority for the MP.