Overview

• The Union of Taxation Employees, with PSAC, unveiled the online "Canada On Hold" campaign on Aug. 21 to protest cutbacks and mobilize complaints to MPs and the taxpayers’ ombudsperson.
• The union says about 3,300 call‑centre jobs were eliminated in the past year, including roughly 1,300 in May, causing long waits, dropped calls and strain on staff.
• The CRA’s 2025–26 plan projects full‑time equivalents falling from 50,804 in 2025–26 to 47,732 in 2027–28, reflecting sunsetting funds and government spending‑reduction measures, including a 15% program‑savings target by 2028–29.
• Union leaders say they expect additional cuts later this year that could affect permanent positions and plan a second phase of the campaign focused beyond call centres.
• The taxpayers’ ombudsperson reported a recent uptick in complaints and a heavy workload, with 24% of 2024–25 cases tied to call centres, while any link to staffing cuts remains unconfirmed.