PIPSC is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Dr. Mehran Alaee. Mehran’s commitment to PIPSC members was deep and unwavering. We will miss him very much.

Mehran served PIPSC members with distinction in a number of capacities over many years, notably as a union steward at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in Burlington.

He was also a key member of the PIPSC Central Bargaining Team and the Respect Committee at ECCC’s Canada Centre for Inland Waters.

Mehran served as Acting President and Vice-President of the Research Group and President of the Hamilton-Burlington Branch and Hamilton-Burlington Research Sub-Group.

For many years, Mehran served on the executive of the Research Group and as a delegate to the PIPSC AGM.

Dr. Alaee obtained his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Guelph in 1991 and joined Environment Canada in 1991 as a post-doctoral fellow, becoming a Research Scientist in 1992. Mehran was an expert in environmental mass spectrometry and a highly respected scientist with numerous international collaborations. Over the years, his research targeted some of the key challenges in the field of aquatic contaminants. His work included 105 scientific publications and many more presentations. His efforts have had a lasting impact and helped to shape ECCC policies and regulations.

In addition, Mehran was an adjunct professor at various universities and mentored, trained and supervised many students and post-docs.

PIPSC extends its condolences to Mehran’s family and to the many friends who were privileged to know him.

Condolences and memories can be expressed online.

If you’re a PIPSC member in the core public administration, you should take paid leave from work to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as you’re eligible in your province or territory.

You can request up to 3.75 hours of leave using code 698, which covers the time required to travel to your vaccination appointment and to get your shot.

Then, repeat the process for your second dose!

Getting vaccinated is an important part of the government’s effort to end the COVID-19 pandemic. If possible, try and schedule your vaccination appointment to minimize absence from work. However, managers should be flexible to allow you to get the earliest possible appointment, regardless of whether that’s during your regular work hours or not. Each province and territory is responsible for vaccine roll-out, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with your local vaccination timeline.

WHERE TO GET VACCINATED

If you have any COVID-related questions, we’re here to help. Whether you’re a parent juggling work with your childcare responsibilities, an employee working from home without an ergonomic setup, or someone feeling the isolation blues, there are resources for you. We are here to help you navigate these never-before-seen times.

COVID-19 FAQs

We’re working with separate employers to ensure that, if you’re outside the core public administration, you can take paid leave for your vaccination as well. You should ask your manager about how to access time off for vaccinations.

1. Historic childcare announcement

The government’s announcement of increased access to affordable childcare is a huge win for working families. This will be transformative for parents, and for the women who systematically shoulder the majority of childcare responsibilities in Canada.

Program details will require consultation with the provinces to define, but an ambitious $10 per day target was established, appropriate money was allocated, and the work will start in the current fiscal year. The announcement got a resounding endorsement from leading advocates such as Child Care Now.

We must remain vigilant to see that this vital initiative is implemented properly.

2. Federal leadership in public health is the new normal

The response to COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of a robust and well-resourced public health infrastructure. In a federation like Canada, that requires national coordination from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada.

Budget 2021 reasserts the importance of these organizations in fighting the pandemic but also signals their broader importance by tapping them to address issues such as domestic violence, mental health, diabetes, autism and long-term care.

3. Gender, diversity and inclusion become a national priority

The negative impacts of COVID-19 have not been felt uniformly by all Canadians. Systemic discrimination was the reality before the crisis and, whether from increased exposure to health risks or economic precarity, COVID-19 has only increased its destructiveness.

Budget 2021 recognizes a “she-cession” and addresses issues faced by women in the world of work. It collects data, analyzes problems, and targets solutions based on those who need them most.

Though this is an important priority, the government has a lot of work to do as an employer to ensure gender equity. In recent months we’ve devoted significant energy to issues such as harassment prevention, access to 699 leave, and discouraging outsourcing to contractors with sometimes questionable labour practices. These issues all disproportionately impact women and the budget gave no explicit indication that change is coming. We expect the government to do better.

4. Tax fairness: lots of sizzle, not much steak

Given the extent to which the ultra-rich and web giants have profited throughout the crisis, we can’t let them off the hook as we rebuild.

After years of advocacy, the government has been slowly reinvesting in the Canada Revenue Agency after years of ill-advised cuts. Budget 2021 adds $534 million over 5 years to “strengthen CRA” and enhance efforts to tackle tax avoidance and evasion.

Other important initiatives were announced including a digital service tax for companies like Netflix and Amazon, as well as closing loopholes for “excessive deductions of interest,” a new tax to discourage real estate speculation by foreign entities that leave properties vacant and a new tax on luxury cars, boats and planes.

Budget 2021 announced the creation of a publicly accessible beneficial ownership registry. This initiative has been championed by auditors at CRA as an effective way to discourage illegal behaviour that occurs when ownership relationships are unclear. While the announcement is welcomed, the delay before a full implementation in 2025 is unnecessary.

All these measures are welcomed, but the expected return is small ($3.5 billion per year) when compared to the scale of the recovery response. There is still incredible potential to increase tax revenues by implementing other tax fairness measures.

5. Research and Development within federal departments needs attention

Innovation, research and development will be an important part of the post-COVID recovery process. The government provided further details about the $7.2 billion Strategic Innovation Fund as well as the $360 million National Quantum Strategy.

Increased funding for the National Research Council and the Canada Space Agency, and new money for Statistics Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada to create a Census of the Environment is also good news.

Unfortunately, most of the other core government departments received relatively small research and development amounts, which will likely continue the longstanding trend of internal R&D in the federal government diminishing compared to the private sector and universities.

6. A green recovery plan is important and public services must be protected

Positive economic performance in the fourth quarter of 2020 means the total deficit is expected to be less than expected last fall ($354 billion instead of $382 billion).

Canada’s crisis-response deficit is in line with the average of other OECD countries. The International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Monitor from April 2021 shows Canada’s federal net-debt is expected to be one-third of the G20 average for 2020 and 2021.

The strength of the federal government’s financial position before the crisis combined with low levels of debt and low interest rates means it can protect Canadians now, invest in green technology to stimulate a full recovery, be ready for unforeseen events in the future, and maintain the public services Canadians rely on. The risk of the government doing too little outweighs the risk of it doing too much.

7. IT infrastructure and the Phoenix backlog

We were pleased to see the critical investment in the government’s aging IT systems. $300 million over 3 years was provided to Shared Services Canada to repair and replace IT infrastructure. A further $453 million was announced for SSC and the Communications Security Establishment to improve cyber security. This work must be conducted internally by public service professionals in information technology (IT).

$46 million was allocated to Public Services and Procurement Canada to eliminate the backlog of Phoenix pay system transactions by December 2022. This system continues to plague our members and we hope this funding can resolve all outstanding Phoenix pay issues.

8. $15 minimum wage

The federal minimum wage of $15 announced in Budget 2021 is a major victory for the labour movement and working people. The announcement will directly benefit 26,000 workers currently earning less than the new minimum in federally regulated private sector employers such as banks, telecommunications companies and airlines. It is now imperative that provinces follow suit and adopt a livable minimum wage for all Canadians.

The Institute is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Valérie Nguyen. Valérie’s commitment to Institute members was deep and unwavering. We will miss her very much.

A loyal and hard-working PIPSC member, Valérie liked to come to the aid of her colleagues.

Valérie was a member of the executive of the CP Gatineau Subgroup and the executive of the NCR Global Affairs Canada Branch. For many years, Valérie served as a delegate to the PIPSC AGM. 

Valérie helped organize local events and mobilized members in support of collective bargaining.

Professional Institute members extend their heartfelt condolences to Valérie’s family and to the many friends who were privileged to know her.

More information can be found on this web page.

Public sector unions are coming together in solidarity to urge the provincial government to lead New Brunswick’s economic recovery by investing to improve public services. Together, our organizations represent 1 in 6 New Brunswick workers.

Over the past year, we have witnessed what was once unimaginable. For instance, who could have imagined that New Brunswick schools would have to completely rethink the delivery of public education? Who could have imagined that sporting arenas, hotels and convention centres would be converted into makeshift COVID-19 testing facilities and hospitals? Who could have imagined deploying rapid response teams to New Brunswick nursing homes and the Canadian military in nursing homes in some provinces?

The pandemic quickly turned into a global crisis. It has been relentlessly stress-testing public services and infrastructure all over the world, exposing cracks and gaps. And New Brunswick has not been immune.

The pandemic has reminded New Brunswickers of the importance of our public services and exposed the cracks and gaps in our public sector, but they come as no surprise to those working in the system. For many years, workers have been calling attention to these weaknesses and vulnerabilities. These same people have demonstrated a willingness to work with government to help make the necessary improvements.

Yet governments, both past and present, have ignored ideas for improvements, opting instead to privatize many public services. This is a cost to taxpayers in the long run, often reducing the quality of services. How often do we witness private investors cutting corners in an effort to turn a profit?

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, public sector workers across the province stepped up. They risked their health in order to keep the province running. Some took on jobs completely different than what they were hired to do because the province and our citizens needed it.

As the pandemic continues, so do the sacrifices of workers. What government has offered thus far in return is thanks for a job well done.

While our workers appreciate the thanks, what they would rather see is real action. No more clichés, no more plans that won’t start for another 5 to 10 years, no more giving away taxpayer money to corporate entities and their ideas which may or may not work.

Real change means acting on the ideas brought forward by public sector workers to improve services. It also means maintaining control of our public investments and not off-loading public services to the private sector. Finally, it means making significant investments in the public services to fix the cracks and gaps that are now apparent for all to see.

Real action starts with the upcoming provincial budget. Instead of asking public sector workers to do more with less and further cutting already bare-bone services, we are collectively requesting our Premier to heed the advice of economists and experts by making significant investments in our public services.

In the January 20, 2021, edition of the Telegraph-Journal, economist Richard Saillant wrote: “The key to a better tomorrow is not to achieve fiscal balance at all times, but to maintain sustainable public finances while making the investments that will underpin the future prosperity and well-being of all New Brunswickers.”

Saillant continues by saying in his January 20 column: “Although it should avoid profligacy – and with Premier Higgs at the helm, it certainly will – the government should recognize that it does have the fiscal flexibility to respond much better to the current crisis. Racing to balance the books in today’s context of acute need and extreme uncertainty runs counter to the global consensus and threatens our recovery.”

For too long governments have made cuts and expected workers to do more with less. Over time this has severely weakened our public services. And although New Brunswick has experienced some significant setbacks, we’ve managed to get through because our workers know how to persevere and are determined to maintain services even in the most challenging times.

Our public system has been holding firm in the face of immense pressure because of our workers – people who put New Brunswickers first. Yet, reports have pegged New Brunswick as the province that spent the least to help its citizens during the pandemic. Let’s hope that frugality was to set up strong investments in public services that will help our province recover and attract more people to our beautiful province.

New Brunswick workers are keeping this province going in unbelievably trying times. But at what cost to their own mental, emotional, and physical health? And how much longer can they continue without the support they need? If our decision makers truly want to say thanks for a job well done, then they must provide our public sector workers with the tools and resources that will help preserve, sustain and improve the services New Brunswickers need.

Debi Daviau
President, The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

Daniel Legere
President, New Brunswick Federation of Labour

Paula Doucet
President, New Brunswick Nurses Union

Brien Watson
President, CUPE New Brunswick

Colleen Coffey
Atlantic Regional Vice-President, Public Service Alliance of Canada

Susie Proulx-Daigle
President, New Brunswick Union

Rick Cuming
Co-President, New Brunswick Teacher’s Federation

Gérald Arseneault
Co-président, Fédération des enseignants du Nouveau-Brunswick

Ross Galbraith
Business Manager, IBEW Local 37

The Institute is saddened to report the untimely passing of our friend and colleague Shirley Gillette. Shirley’s commitment to Institute members was deep and unwavering. We will miss her very much.

A loyal and hard-working member of the CS Group, Shirley liked to come to the aid of her colleagues. Shirley helped members deal with issues such as difficult work situations, getting answers to their questions and obtaining information concerning issues that affected them.

Shirley served Institute members with distinction in a number of capacities over many years, notably as a union steward at Global Affairs Canada in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Shirley was president of the CS Global Affairs Canada Sub-Group and president of the NCR Global Affairs Canada Branch.

For many years, Shirley served as a delegate to the PIPSC AGM.  She also served on the Vision Committee of the Retired Members Guild and on the Global Affairs Canada Consultation Team.

Professional Institute members extend their heartfelt condolences to Shirley’s family and to the many friends who were privileged to know her.

More information can be found on this web page.

On February 23, 2021, President Debi Daviau testified before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) about our concerns with Bill C-224, which would create a single tax return for Quebecers to be processed by Revenu Québec.

She outlined the reasons why we oppose the bill:

• It will have a negative financial impact on taxpayers across Canada

• It will not result in tax processing efficiencies for residents of Quebec

• It’s a step backward in the fight against tax evasion

• It’s a move away from tax fairness

• It will lead to the loss of high-quality jobs in Shawinigan and Jonquière, two smaller provincial communities already hard hit by the pandemic

We are not the only ones to take this position.

Academic and expert literature on this issue demonstrates that there is no clear evidence that decentralization of Canadian tax administration to a provincial authority would result in greater aggregate savings, efficiency, compliance or accountability as compared to centralizing the administration of provincial taxes at the CRA.

Bill C-224 should not be adopted. A better way to go, if we want less paperwork, a lighter tax filing burden on individuals, and a guarantee that people get the benefits they are entitled to, would be automatic tax filing. This is something the Trudeau government has committed to implementing and we support that initiative. The CRA has the capacity to effectively process Quebec taxes, as it already does for the other provinces.

We continue to meet virtually with Members of Parliament on this issue and we will report back to our members on the status of the bill in the weeks ahead.

The House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Finance re-launched its pre-budget consultations for 2021.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has referred to the upcoming budget as the “the most significant one of our lifetimes.” The stakes are high; we want to ensure this budget works for PIPSC members and all Canadians.

READ OUR BUDGET 2021 RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some excerpts:

Recommendation 1: Build an equitable and sustainable national recovery plan

The impact of public policy decisions made in the next few years will be felt for generations. Success means protecting people’s health today and their livelihood tomorrow while also addressing structural inequity and ecological imperatives.

Recommendation 2: Invest confidently in the public service

When markets failed, the public service was there. The crisis has proven that Canadians benefit from having a strong, efficient and professional public service. Now is the time to confidently invest in the future. The vital programs that save lives, protect the environment and grow our economy must remain in the hands of our non-partisan public service.

Recommendation 3: Protect workers as the country reopens

We need to move slowly, protect people and pull everyone up along the way.

Recommendation 4: $750 million grant for NAV CANADA in each of the next two years

The government must immediately support the company by providing it with emergency funding to get through this crisis.

Recommendation 5: Correct inequality with tax fairness

We cannot simply strive to return to the status quo; we must correct the deep inequality that has been exposed. A rigorous examination of the tax system will be critical to ensure there is a legacy of positive and meaningful change – allowing those who have profited from the crisis to lift up those who have been harmed.

Bill C-224 aims to create a single tax return administered by Revenu Québec. We oppose and are actively working to stop this bill.

Many Audit, Financial and Scientific (AFS) Group members are understandably concerned about the impact it could have on their careers and positions.

Quebec residents are the only taxpayers in Canada that must file two separate tax returns, one federal and one provincial. Other provinces have agreements that allow the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to administer both federal and provincial taxes.

Sponsored by Bloc Québecois Member of Parliament Gabriel Ste-Marie, Bill C-224 was introduced last year but was not examined by Parliament because of other governmental priorities linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has just resurfaced and is expected to be reviewed in committee some time in 2021.

While there is no indication at this point that it will be adopted, we are not taking any chances. We are about to begin the lobbying campaign we would have conducted last year had there been no pandemic.

As a first step, President Daviau recently sent a letter to several influential MPs outlining our principal concerns with the bill:

• There is no clear evidence that decentralization of Canadian tax administration to a province would result in greater savings, efficiency, compliance or accountability.
• A shift from the CRA to Revenu Québec would require a significant expansion of the latter’s capacity, as well as an expansion of its administration budget. The CRA is already in a position to centralize Québec’s tax administration.
• International agreements aimed at fighting tax evasion are signed between central governments, and Quebec would not be in a position to perform the federal government’s work in this area.
• The proposed transfer would have a significant impact on 2 Quebec regions, Shawinigan and Jonquière, at a time of ongoing economic and social upheavals linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are urging these influential MPs to oppose Bill C-224 and have asked for virtual meetings with them as soon as possible. We will do our utmost to defeat this potential legislation and protect our CRA members’ jobs.

We, the public service unions and the National Association of Federal Retirees of the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP), demand that the Treasury Board come to the table ready to discuss changes to the plan.  

The PSHCP covers most workers and retirees of the federal public service and has not been meaningfully reviewed since 2006. In 2018, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed committing the Treasury Board to complete a review of the plan by March 31, 2019. The Treasury Board has not begun discussions with us.

Public service unions and the National Association of Federal Retirees believe that changes are needed to reflect recent medical advances, the increase in cost of living, and emerging technology. Together, we surveyed our members in 2018 and we are prepared to advocate for the changes you need in your health care plan. We have done the work to understand what our members need and how the PSHCP can respond to them. Continued delays are a serious neglect of the Treasury Board’s duties under the Financial Administration Act and its commitment to collaborate with public service unions and the National Association of Federal Retirees.

Along with our colleagues from other National Joint Council unions, we have cosigned a letter to the Treasury Board. We are prepared to commence legal proceedings to bring the Treasury Board to the table.  The National Association of Federal Retirees has submitted a separate letter of support.

Read the cosigned letter

Learn more about your group’s current extended health care plan: https://pipsc.ca/labour-relations/health-plan