Toronto: More than 155,000 public servants have gone on strike as talks between the federal public sector union and the government failed to fructify by Tuesday evening’s deadline.
Federal departments and agencies have released a list of services that will be affected due to workers going on strike. The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says that callers at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Center may have trouble because there will be no one there to receive the call.
Services that will be disrupted or delayed include AgriInvest, AgriStability, The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program, The Wine Sector Support Program, The Youth Employment and Skills Program, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Programs.
Workers of the Canada Revenue Agency will also go on strike during this time.
The agency says that benefit payments and Canadian child benefits will continue. The CRA is encouraging people to pay their taxes online. Due to the delay in processing, some income tax and benefits will not be able to be paid, especially those that have been filled through paperwork.
The waiting time may also be increased at contact centers. The agency also says that they have no plans to extend the deadline for filing tax.
The Canadian Heritage Department says all funding programs will be maintained, but there may be a delay when it’s time to make receipts for applications, make funding decisions, and issue payments.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard says the Fisheries and Oceans Conservation and Protection Program, fisheries closures-related health and safety, Canadian Coast Guard and Rescue, Environmental Response and Icebreaking Services will continue, but their administrative capacity will be reduced. Licensing and funding programs by the Canadian Coast Guard Lighthouse, Ranked Vessels and Fisheries and Oceans could be disrupted.
According to Employment and Social Development Canada, essential services such as Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance and Social Insurance numbers will continue. The in-person services that are offered at the Service Canada Centers will only be provided to the clients who need some kind of help with the above-mentioned services.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, The Canada Education Savings Bond, The Canada Disability Savings Grant and The Canada Disability Savings Bond programs may be partially delayed.
Global Affairs Canada will restore essential services. These include travel advisory, The EduCanada program and international scholarship program. Missions Abroad, Document Authentication Services, Import and Export Permits, The CanExport Program and International Assistance Programming may be partially or completely affected.
Most of Indigenous Services Canada’s services will continue, but the Department says disruptions in labor work could delay these services. Library and Archives Canada’s service points in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax will continue to be manned, as well as the Government of Canada, galleries, libraries, archives and museums.
There may be delays in ordering archival materials and published materials, preparing copies, applying for access to information, licensing and copyright requests, and services to publishers.
In addition, all services will be maintained by Public Services and Procurement Canada, but with the help of the phone, direct deposit and security screening may be completely or partially disrupted. Regular police services of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will continue throughout the country. But access to administrative support, media relations, web updates and RCMP buildings may be hindered
Transport Canada’s essential services will also be maintained.
However, services such as public outreach, regulatory work, aircraft services, issue of licenses, certificates and registrations, transportation security clearances and other motor vehicle safety hotlines may be partially or completely disrupted.
Veterans Affairs Canada’s periodic payments to veterans will continue unhindered. It will continue with disability benefits, income replacement benefits and additional compensation for pain and suffering. Processing new payments may be hampered.