SYDNEY, N.S. — Cape Breton federal government employees are expected to continue working from home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) both confirmed to the Cape Breton Post the majority of their workers will remain working remotely for the time being.
Since March 15, Canada Revenue Agency employees performing critical services have been working from their homes, while others who are not performing critical services, but are equipped to work from home, have resumed their duties.
“CRA has been working diligently to issue the Canada Emergency Response Benefit and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy among numerous other emergency measures,” said CRA spokesperson Alexandra Sotiropoulos.
“The CRA is fortunate to have a nimble, dedicated, and highly skilled workforce who are committed to serving Canadians.”
The Canada Revenue Agency will transition from operating under the critical services mode to a business resumption mode, beginning Monday. However, the majority of workers will not be back at the Sydney office.
“The CRA will make sure employees who need to report to a CRA building in order to complete their tasks will have a safe work environment with thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols and arrangements to provide physical distance,” said Sotiropoulos.
“The CRA is fortunate to have a nimble, dedicated, and highly skilled workforce who are committed to serving Canadians.” — CRA spokesperson Alexandra Sotiropoulos
Meanwhile, IRCC has also continued to manage its programs and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department spokesperson Nancy Caron said while most employees are currently working from home, some employees perform critical functions or services in which cannot be done or are not easily done through remote working arrangements.
“We are working on a reintegration plan to safely return employees to offices across the country in a gradual, phased approach,” she said. “Our reintegration plan will be guided by advice from public health authorities, including Canada’s chief public health officer, and the direction of provinces and territories.”
Currently, there are 667 employees who work at the case processing centre in Sydney. The number of employees who are working remotely and in the office are expected to fluctuate daily.
Overall, Caron didn’t confirm how many employees were not currently working.
The Post has learned some workers are expected to return to the Sydney office on July 7 on a piloting project under new COVID-19 health and safety building requirements.
Information obtained by the Post says some employees working in the express entry, citizenship as well as data entry and scanning departments are expected back in the office on the date. However, only a certain number of people will be allowed in the building at a time.
No timeline was provided as to when all employees may be able to return to the office on a regular basis.
