[Canada] Two weeks of CRA strikes impacting small businesses

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) strike continues to be a concern for small businesses in the country that have unanswered questions and filing deadlines, Cision reports.

CFIB was reportedly pleased when the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the federal government reached a tentative agreement for more than 120,000 civil servants. However, because this deal does not cover the 35,000 CRA workers who remain on strike, CFIB is now calling on the government to introduce back-to-work legislation.

"The deadline to file personal income tax has come and gone, but CRA workers are still not back to work. Now the June 15 deadline for small businesses is fast approaching on top of the regular monthly and quarterly requirements for GST/HST and payroll taxes like Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan premiums. How many more days will pass until there's a deal?" Dan Kelly - CFIB president - asked. 

"Every day the strike drags on, there's more financial harm to small business owners. It is now time for government to legislate CRA staff back to work."

As well as their concerns about service challenges and deadlines, small firms are reportedly worried about the implications of large-scale public service wage settlements. The civil service has grown by 30 per cent since 2015 and salary expenditures for staff are now in excess of $60 billion.

"This is not the time for union demands for giant wage hikes. The government should not set a precedent for the remaining 20 bargaining units that are in a position to strike by letting this one drag out any longer," Mr Kelly said. "We hope public service unions show good faith at the bargaining table and reach a quick resolution that comes at a reasonable cost to Canadians."

Source: Cision

(Quotes via original reporting)

According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) strike continues to be a concern for small businesses in the country that have unanswered questions and filing deadlines, Cision reports.

CFIB was reportedly pleased when the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the federal government reached a tentative agreement for more than 120,000 civil servants. However, because this deal does not cover the 35,000 CRA workers who remain on strike, CFIB is now calling on the government to introduce back-to-work legislation.

"The deadline to file personal income tax has come and gone, but CRA workers are still not back to work. Now the June 15 deadline for small businesses is fast approaching on top of the regular monthly and quarterly requirements for GST/HST and payroll taxes like Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan premiums. How many more days will pass until there's a deal?" Dan Kelly - CFIB president - asked. 

"Every day the strike drags on, there's more financial harm to small business owners. It is now time for government to legislate CRA staff back to work."

As well as their concerns about service challenges and deadlines, small firms are reportedly worried about the implications of large-scale public service wage settlements. The civil service has grown by 30 per cent since 2015 and salary expenditures for staff are now in excess of $60 billion.

"This is not the time for union demands for giant wage hikes. The government should not set a precedent for the remaining 20 bargaining units that are in a position to strike by letting this one drag out any longer," Mr Kelly said. "We hope public service unions show good faith at the bargaining table and reach a quick resolution that comes at a reasonable cost to Canadians."

Source: Cision

(Quotes via original reporting)