On December 13, 2017, Member of Parliament Sheri Benson (Saskatoon West) presented a petition to the House of Commons on behalf of the Professional Institute about the Canada Revenue Agency’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Service Modernization initiative.
Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthillier has since tabled her response (below).
Thank you to all our members who helped raise this issue with Canada’s lawmakers. We will continue to defend your rights on this matter and we will keep you advised of developments as soon as we have more information.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) extends its thanks to the petitioners for expressing their views with respect to the CRA’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Service Modernization initiative. Since the initial announcement of the GTA Service Modernization Initiative on June 28, 2017, concerted efforts have been made to address these concerns fully.
The CRA conducted extensive consultation with the unions, namely the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), and with many GTA CRA employees to address all of the main concerns expressed by its employees.
A revised new organizational model has since been developed through these extensive consultations with both unions, as well as feedback from employees and other stakeholders. The new model, which was announced on December 15, 2017, reorganizes program delivery in the GTA to gain efficiencies and improve service to taxpayers.
The management/reporting structure for the new model will come into effect on April 1, 2019. As a result of this initiative, there is no anticipated physical movement of employees until 2021.
Due to real property lease situations, movement of some employees will begin in 2021, as new lease locations within the current geographic boundaries are identified. The new model will continue to support career progression and incorporate workplace flexibilities such as telework, virtual reporting, flexible hours and variable hours to help employees maintain work-life balance. There will be no job losses as a result of this initiative. The CRA is continuing to consult with unions and engage with employees regarding the implementation phase of the new model. The CRA is confident that the new model will provide greater opportunities for employees, and at the same time, achieve the CRA’s objective of improving its service channels for Canadians.