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The Issue

The Phoenix system has resulted in hundreds of thousands of pay errors (underpayments, overpayments, and no-pay situations) to the detriment of tens of thousands of federal public servants.

Public servants deserve reliable and accurate pay. PIPSC continues to push for a replacement system and full compensation for members affected. We remain steadfast in advocating for fair and permanent solutions.

Phoenix pay help form

If you were affected by the Phoenix pay system, please fill out the below form.

PIPSC’s ongoing advocacy

Phoenix pay system replacement

Leading efforts for a new, functional pay system, and strong union involvement in the procurement process

Expanded damage compensation

Collaborating with PSAC and CAPE, calling for fair compensation for members affected by errors

Address aggressive recovery efforts

Filed policy grievances due to the employer’s approach to recovering overpayments

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Latest updates
Leadership change at critical moment for Phoenix pay system

27 Mar 2026

1 day ago

We wish Alex Benay well and thank him for his years of public service. During his time in this role, important work did move forward, including efforts to reduce parts of the backlog of unresolved Phoenix pay transactions and advance a replacement system. His departure, however, raises questions that deserve clear and prompt answers. Two …

Ten years after Phoenix: a $5 billion warning Canada cannot ignore
Ten years after Phoenix: a $5 billion warning Canada cannot ignore

23 Feb 2026

1 month ago

Ten years ago, the federal government launched the Phoenix pay system. It was presented as a modernization effort that would save money and make the government more efficient. Instead, it became one of the most damaging administrative failures in recent Canadian history. PIPSC’s new report, Phoenix: 10 Years of Failure, examines how this happened, why …

Government moves forward with Dayforce

18 Jun 2025

9 months ago

After nearly a decade of Phoenix pay system disasters, the federal government has announced its decision to move forward with Dayforce as the replacement for the troubled Phoenix pay system. On June 11, Minister Joël Lightbound confirmed that the government is entering the “final build and testing phase” of the Dayforce HR and pay solution. …

PIPSC Update on PSAC / CRA Phoenix Damages Agreement

22 Apr 2024

1 year ago

The PSAC recently announced their agreement with CRA about the taxability of the general compensation for damages received, per their Phoenix Damages Agreement signed in 2020. The portion of PSAC damages (up to $1500) that have been announced to be tax-free represents general compensation.  The other portion (up to $1000) for the late implementation of …

Recovery process for Phoenix overpayments – FAQs

11 Sep 2023

2 years ago

In the fall of 2021, the recovery process for Phoenix overpayments was launched for employees who the Public Service Pay Centre believed were overpaid by the Phoenix pay system in 2016 and onwards. Employees were sent overpayment letters and were given 4 weeks to respond by accepting or challenging the amount or the validity of …

Policy grievances filed over the recovery of Phoenix overpayments

27 Jul 2022

3 years ago

In the fall of 2021, the recovery process for Phoenix overpayments was launched for employees who the Public Service Pay Centre believed were overpaid by the Phoenix pay system in 2016 and onwards. Employees were sent overpayment letters and were given 4 weeks to respond by accepting or challenging the amount or the validity of …

FAQs on cash-out of excess vacation and compensatory leave

29 Mar 2022

3 years ago

Overview of the changes For Treasury Board employees in the CP (formerly AV), IT (formerly CS), NR, RE, SH and SP groups, a new agreement provides for 20% of your excess vacation and compensatory leave to be cashed out for five years in a row on March 31 each year (from 2022 to 2026). The …

Changes to leave carryovers and cash-outs

20 Dec 2021

4 years ago

Vacation leave cash-out changes The following changes affect the CP (formerly AV), IT (formerly CS), NR, RE, and SP groups.  Vacation leave cash-out rules do not apply to the SH Group because SH group members have no limit to the number of vacation leave credits they can carry over. Your collective agreement allows you to …

NextGen pilot expanded to new departments

11 Aug 2021

4 years ago

On July 27, 2021, following the successful completion of the Exploratory Phase with the Department of Canadian Heritage, the government announced the expansion of NextGen pay and HR system testing to two federal organizations with complex scheduling and pay needs, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. These are some of …

Top-up of up to $1000 to your Phoenix compensation

8 Mar 2021

5 years ago

PIPSC has concluded negotiations with the Treasury Board Secretariat regarding several top-ups to your Phoenix compensation. As we indicated in July, another union signed a Phoenix agreement that we analyzed and ultimately determined had a higher monetary value to our own Phoenix agreement, which included up to 5 days of leave for all members paid …

Phoenix Pay Support

Get help managing your Phoenix Pay situation:

Still dealing with Phoenix pay issues? Take action now to protect your pay—report your case, request emergency support if needed, and contact the Phoenix Pay Centre to move your file forward
Learn more
If you were underpaid by Phoenix and were unable to pay bills on time, and subsequently incurred costs such as interest charges or administrative fees, these are out-of-pocket expenses that may be eligible for a reimbursement.
Find out more about out of pocket expenses
Have you mistakenly received an overpayment letter or received an inaccurate overpayment letter? Our FAQs provide guidance on next steps.
Read our Phoenix overpayments FAQs

Share your story

Let us know how Phoenix has impacted you and get the help you need. 
Your feedback supports ongoing advocacy and drives change.