More than 155,000 public servants are now on strike after the country’s largest federal public sector union and the government failed to reach an agreement by a Tuesday night deadline.
Federal departments and agencies have released a list of services that could be disrupted during the strike.
Here is an updated list of potentially affected services:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: The department said there may be interruptions in the reception of calls to Agriculture Canada and Agri-Food Contact Centres. Some of the services that could be disrupted or delayed include AgriInvest, AgriStability, the Poultry and Egg Farm Investment Program, the Wine Industry Support Program, the Youth Employment and Skills Program and programs under the Partnership for Sustainable Canadian Agriculture.
Canada Revenue Agency: Workers at the agency went on strike along with PSAC members. Benefit payments will be prioritized and the Canada Child Benefit will continue, the agency said. Due to delays in processing certain income tax and benefit returns, especially those filed on paper, the CRA is encouraging people to file their taxes online. Contact center wait times may be longer. The agency said it has no plans to extend the tax deadline.
Canadian Heritage: All funding programs will remain in place, but there may be delays in application receipts, funding decisions and disbursements, the department said.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard: Canada’s Fisheries and Oceans Conservation and Protection Program, health and safety-related fishery closures, and Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue, environmental response and icebreaking services will continue to operate, but may at reduced administrative capacity. Some of the services that could be partially or fully disrupted include Canadian Coast Guard lighthouses, shipwrecks, and fishing and marine licensing and funding programs.
Canadian Transport Agency: The agency said it would ensure the continued operation of the national transport system. There may be some delays in areas such as dispute resolution and information provision.
Crown Aboriginal Relations and Canadian Northern Affairs: Essential services such as Indian boarding school crisis centers, support for hunt, harvest and community-led food programs, access to retail subsidies, treaties and negotiations will remain, but may be delayed.
Employment and Social Development Canada: Essential services such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance and Social Insurance numbers will remain in place. In-person services at Service Canada Centers will be limited to clients who require assistance with these services. The department warned of possible delays. Passport services are not considered essential, so applications and renewals are on hold and restricted to those in humanitarian or emergency situations. There will also be some processing delays for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the Canada Education Savings Bond, the Canada Disability Savings Grant and the Canada Disability Savings Bond.
Global Affairs Canada: The department said it will maintain essential services such as travel advice, the EduCanada program and the international scholarship program. Foreign mission services, document authentication services, import and export licenses, the CanExport program and the International Assistance Program may be affected in part or in full.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Significant delays are expected across all immigration processes and most services, including processing applications, in-person appointments and naturalization ceremonies, passport services and contacting departments. People with immigration related appointments will be contacted to reschedule or cancel. Services provided by external organizations will still be available and online applications, accounts and emergency services will be maintained.
Aboriginal Services Canada: Services such as support for Aboriginal businesses, Aboriginal child and family services, emergency management and funding programs will remain in place.
Potentially affected services include receiving, renewing or replacing identification cards, non-insured health benefits, support for Inuit children and treaty annuities, estates and trusts, the department said. They also warned that there could be delays in Aboriginal medical transport.
Canadian Libraries and Archives: Service points in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax, as well as services to the Government of Canada, galleries, libraries, archives and museums will remain. There may be delays in ordering archival and published materials, requesting copies, making information access requests, licensing or copyright requests, and providing services to the Publisher.
Public Service and Procurement Canada: Services such as direct deposit, pension payments, language services and announcements will remain the same. Services that may be partially or fully discontinued include phone-assisted direct deposit and security checks.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police: Regular police services will continue across the country, but services such as administrative support, media relations, web updates and access to RCMP buildings may be disrupted.
Transport Canada: Essential services will be maintained, but services such as public outreach, regulatory work, aircraft servicing, issuance of licenses, certificates and registrations, transportation security clearances and other motor vehicle safety hotlines may be partially or fully disrupted.
Veterans Affairs Canada: Regular payments to veterans will continue uninterrupted. This includes disability benefits, income replacement benefits and additional compensation for pain and suffering. The department expects a reduced ability to process new payments. New benefit requests or benefit requests already in the queue will be prioritized as needed.
—Cindy Tran, Canadian Press
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