SUDBURY – As of 12:01AM on April 19th, 2023, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and its members began a nation-wide general strike, which includes 6,000 members from across Northern Ontario.
“Public servants work hard to deliver for Canadians. The government recognizes and respects the right of public servants to strike. We also understand that a potential labour disruption can be stressful for our community members who depend on important government services,” said Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament Sudbury.
Essential services will be maintained regardless of labour disruptions. Services are considered essential when the safety of security of the public would be at risk if the service was unavailable.
Certain services will be impacted by partial or full disruptions, such as:
Canada Revenue Agency:
Income tax and benefit return processing will be delayed, particularly for returns filed by paper.
Benefit processing will be prioritized.
Contact centre wait times will be increased.
Employment and Social Development Canada:
Passport services will be disrupted.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program applications will be disrupted.
Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada:
Application processing, in-person immigration appointments, and citizenship ceremonies will be disrupted.
Wait times for contacting IRCC via email, phone or social media will be increased.
Online immigration applications will continue to be available, as well as some emergency services.
Public Services and Procurement Canada:
Security screening processes will be disrupted.
Registration process for direct deposit will be disrupted.
Service Canada
In person services will be limited to clients requiring assistance with EI, SINs, CPP, OAS, and GIS.
Importantly, the T1 tax filing deadline of May 1, 2023 will not be extended. Please ensure your return is filed electronically or by paper in time for the deadline, along with payment for any balance owing.
Essential services that protect the safety and security of the public will continue to be delivered, such as:
Tax filing services through CRA My Account, Auto-File My Return, and Express NOA
Employment Insurance payments
Canada Pension Plan payments
Canada Child Benefit payments
Veterans’ income support
Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments
