BURST
The Canada Revenue Agency is cutting 280 jobs, most of them in the National Capital Region, employees were told Thursday.
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.”
The news was delivered to employees in a message from CRA Commissioner Bob Hamilton and Deputy Commissioner Jean-François Fortin.
“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.
“Throughout this process, the agency has remained focused on minimizing the impacts on both employees and service to Canadians.”
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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
Most branches within CRA will have some cuts, the memo added, saying those impacted were:
• Appeals
• Assessment, Benefit and Service
• Audit, Evaluation and Risk
• Compliance Programs
• Digital Transformation Program
• Finance and Administration
• Human Resources
• Legal Services
• Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs
• Public Affairs
• Service, Innovation and Integration
“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.
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