Canada Revenue Agency to slash full-time jobs tied to benefits programs, ‘sunsetting’ tax policies

The agency forecasts reaching 47,732 staff by 2027–28, down from the planned 50,804 this fiscal year, reporting some layoffs tied to sunsetting pandemic-era programs and the consumer carbon tax.

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency, which also has a secretary of state assigned to its oversight. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Canada Revenue Agency to slash full-time jobs tied to benefits programs, ‘sunsetting’ tax policies

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The agency forecasts reaching 47,732 staff by 2027–28, down from the planned 50,804 this fiscal year, reporting some layoffs tied to sunsetting pandemic-era programs and the consumer carbon tax.

Canada Revenue Agency to slash full-time jobs tied to benefits programs, ‘sunsetting’ tax policies

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

The agency forecasts reaching 47,732 staff by 2027–28, down from the planned 50,804 this fiscal year, reporting some layoffs tied to sunsetting pandemic-era programs and the consumer carbon tax.

THE LATEST

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Highly restrictive bid criteria made competition 'impossible' for Canadian and European companies to secure the contract for military night-vision goggles, says a filing from Canadian defence company Cadex.

Trade tribunal calls for freeze on multimillion-dollar defence contract after complaints it favours U.S. supplier

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Highly restrictive bid criteria made competition 'impossible' for Canadian and European companies to secure the contract for military night-vision goggles, says a filing from

Conservative MP Khanna mobilizing support for Poilievre’s upcoming leadership review, say Conservative sources

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Conservative MP Khanna mobilizing support for Poilievre’s upcoming leadership review, say Conservative sources

NewsBY ABBAS RANA

Energy Minister Hodgson top-lobbied in Carney cabinet since May shuffle

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The Pathways Alliance's list of advocacy priorities include a recommendation for the federal government to repeal the industrial carbon pricing system, which they call "uncompetitive."

The Pathways Alliance's list of advocacy priorities include a recommendation for the federal government to repeal the industrial carbon pricing system, which they call

Courts unlikely to provide fifth extension to Ottawa to address Lost Canadians before November, says immigration lawyer

NewsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has imposed a deadline of Nov. 20, 2025, for the federal government to amend provisions of the first-generation limit for those born abroad.

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has imposed a deadline of Nov. 20, 2025, for the federal government to amend provisions of the first-generation

Senate ethics office ‘not keeping up with demand,’ calls for more resources in annual report

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

The first annual report from the new Senate Ethics Officer says the office is struggling with ‘strained’ resources and unable to keep up with Senator’s requests.

The first annual report from the new Senate Ethics Officer says the office is struggling with ‘strained’ resources and unable to keep up with

POLITICS THIS MORNING

Carney talks Trump with his cabinet

Plus, new inflation data incoming.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Global progress on renewables but climate tipping points still on the horizon

Coal, gas, and oil account for about 75 per cent of overall greenhouse gas emissions, so seeing countries like China rapidly switching to cheaper renewable energy is reason to rejoice. But there’s more to do.

BY GWYNNE DYER

Opinion

BY DAVID CRANE

BC Ferries story reveals Canada’s confused policy on China

Opinion

BY DOREEN BARRIE

Bill C-5: RIP reconciliation?

Opinion

BY SHEILA COPPS

Feds have to fight comms with comms to tackle Alberta alienation problem

Opinion

BY MICHAEL HARRIS

How Canadians feel about Carney will rely on trade talk success with a mercurial Trump

PODCAST: THE HOT ROOM

‘Everything is negotiable at all times’: a Trump trade update, with Eric Miller

NEWS

Employment and Social Development Canada forecasts thousands of job losses ahead of Carney’s spending review

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

ESDC is projecting 6,700 job cuts over the next three years. Those numbers were published before Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tasked departments with finding 15 per cent in program savings.

Employment and Social Development Canada forecasts thousands of job losses ahead of Carney’s spending review

NewsBY MARLO GLASS

ESDC is projecting 6,700 job cuts over the next three years. Those numbers were published before Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tasked departments with finding 15 per cent in program savings.

NDP shapes leadership race as cracks form between HQ and grassroots members

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

As Ontario Liberal Leader Crombie faces review, Liberal MP Erskine-Smith opens door for ‘renewal’ in provincial leadership: email

NewsBY ABBAS RANA, STUART BENSON

Feds should appoint ‘eminent person’ to head Leaders’ Debates Commission, says Green Leader May

NewsBY RIDDHI KACHHELA, MARLO GLASS

New U.K. trade strategy IDs Canada as ‘key partner’ to boost economy, procurement opportunities

NewsBY IREM KOCA

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Parliamentary Calendar

Prime minister launches meetings with First Nations about Bill C-5

Podcast

A military spending spree, with David Perry

News

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Lobbyists in 2025: lobbyists prepare for ‘significant reset’ as federal election begins

List

House and Senate steering committee members named

Podcast

The crisis of Canadian democracy, with Andrew Coyne

Insider’s Guide to Parliament: 2025

Policy Briefing – Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – EVs and EV Infrastructure

Policy Briefing – Environment

HILL LIFE & PEOPLE

Ex-justice minister David Lametti joins Carney’s PMO

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Also, former longtime Conservative MP Jake Epp has died, the last of the Hill's feral cats has also passed away, and ex-PM Stephen Harper visits the Port of Iqaluit.

Ex-justice minister David Lametti joins Carney’s PMO

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Also, former longtime Conservative MP Jake Epp has died, the last of the Hill's feral cats has also passed away, and ex-PM Stephen Harper visits the Port of Iqaluit.

First woman named to lead the RCAF

FeatureBY ANDREW MEADE

POLITICS

What will kill the electric car this time: Trump or Canada’s haplessness?

OpinionBY SUSAN RILEY

The dog days of summer for Pierre Poilievre

OpinionBY KEN POLK

AFN tackles C-5

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

The world could use more like Musgrave

OpinionBY TIM POWERS

When people crap on the mainstream media and talk about bias and self-interest, they clearly have never met anyone like Sharon Musgrave.

The world could use more like Musgrave

OpinionBY TIM POWERS

When people crap on the mainstream media and talk about bias and self-interest, they clearly have never met anyone like Sharon Musgrave.

THE HILL TIMES NEWSPAPER

Monday, July 14, 2025

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Wednesday, July 9, 2025

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Monday, July 7, 2025

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OPINION & COLUMNISTS

Opinion

BY DON KELLY

This time, ‘nation building’ must include Indigenous Peoples

Editorial

BY EDITORIAL

A reality check for the Carney government and Canadians

Opinion

BY SHAWN MCCARTHY

Can Canada be a clean energy superpower? Not without tax credits

Digital sovereignty must drive Canada’s U.S. trade strategy

OpinionBY BARRY APPLETON

The approach we choose for trade talks will determine whether Canada controls its digital future or remains forever dependent on others’ technological infrastructure.

G7 may have missed the mark on health, but Canada has a second chance to lead

OpinionBY CHARMAINE CROCKETT

It’s time we treat campus infrastructure as a nation-building project

OpinionBY GABRIEL MILLER

Investments in universities are practical and high-impact investments that will create new jobs, deliver value for taxpayers and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness.

It’s time we treat campus infrastructure as a nation-building project

OpinionBY GABRIEL MILLER

Investments in universities are practical and high-impact investments that will create new jobs, deliver value for taxpayers and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness.

Carney’s plan should emphasize public health rather than fossil fuels

OpinionBY RICHARD VAN DER JAGT, MARIA MEDELEANU, GEOFF STRONG

Some nuclear projects do provide benefits, but nuclear waste disposal is another story: letter writer

Opinion

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY DE ADDER

de Adder’s Take: 07-14-2025

de Adder’s Take: 07-09-2025

de Adder’s Take: 07-07-2025

Public Service

Canada Revenue Agency to slash full-time jobs tied to benefits programs, ‘sunsetting’ tax policies

The agency forecasts reaching 47,732 staff by 2027–28, down from the planned 50,804 this fiscal year, reporting some layoffs tied to sunsetting pandemic-era programs and the consumer carbon tax.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW

Feds’ spending review to-do list: rethink regs, Crown corps, and costly consultants

Too often, well-meaning restructurings don’t have the right execution plan, or reforms add complexity. If the Carney government is serious with this spending review, it must be honest about what hasn’t worked and why.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

Carney’s fiscal plans put the public service at risk

Austerity masked as modernization has a history. Former Conservative PM Stephen Harper offers the real lessons for navigating the balance between fiscal targets and institutional capacity.

BY BHAGWANT SANDHU

We need a fix for bureaucratic delays—but is it a pipe dream?

The prime minister could and should spend his entire mandate trying to do this. But this is a classic example of a problem where the people responsible for fixing it are the same people who are the problem.

BY MATT GURNEY

PSPC’s three-year $17.5-billion spending plan lacks clear roadmap to future goals, say insiders

With billions on the line and a track record of failed targets, how PSPC plans to deliver on its goals is unclear from its recent departmental plan. 'Fact is, if the department can’t meet the expectations of delivery for this new government, then heads will roll,' says Sahir Khan.

BY IREM KOCA

FOREIGN POLICY

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

‘A critical mistake’: former Grit ministers call out what they say is Carney’s capitulation to Trump

NewsBY NEIL MOSS

Action must follow Canada’s tone shift on Gaza

OpinionBY KETTY NIVYABANDI

Canada today: an exporting country in a trade-compromised world

OpinionBY LES WHITTINGTON

Q&A | Trade talks with a ‘revisionist power’ where leverage is everything

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

‘Everything is negotiable at all times’ with U.S. President Donald Trump, says trade consultant Eric Miller.

Q&A | Trade talks with a ‘revisionist power’ where leverage is everything

NewsBY PETER MAZEREEUW

‘Everything is negotiable at all times’ with U.S. President Donald Trump, says trade consultant Eric Miller.

BOOKS, BIG IDEAS, Q&As

Reconciliation starts local, says author of guide book for non-Indigenous allies

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

Reconciliation starts local, says author of guide book for non-Indigenous allies

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Rose LeMay says it's 'up to non-Indigenous people to change these systems so that Indigenous Peoples are not treated worse than others.'

Poilievre is a ‘classic political ripper,’ says author of new bestselling biography

FeatureBY KATE MALLOY

Bruce Fanjoy, the man who broke Poilievre’s spell on Carleton, Ont., says he won by door knocking and listening

NewsBY IREM KOCA

Pope Francis was one of the most ‘electrifying papacies in centuries,’ says author of book on pontiff’s life and influences

FeatureBY STEPHEN JEFFERY

Q&A | Unpacking the ‘astonishing’ swing in federal polls with Frank Graves

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

As a part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's, right, spending review of government operations, departments that serve Indigenous Peoples—including Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada led by Minister Rebecca Alty, left—must be required to fulfill their spending obligations and "get the money out the door," writes Rose LeMay. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

OpinionBY ROSE LEMAY

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

Carney is walking a political tightrope on our energy future

OpinionBY ANDY HIRA

Clean energy is the path forward. Markets will eventually turn against fossil fuels, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the financial burden of supporting new infrastructure that lacks long-term payoff.

Coal mine expansion a dangerous step backward for public health and our environment

OpinionBY STEPHEN WILTON

A technical loophole is letting us undermine our climate commitments, and ignores the fundamental reality that greenhouse gas emissions affect our climate regardless of where coal is burned.

Canada’s wildfire response infrastructure is failing when lives depend on it

OpinionBY KEVIN FERNANDES

Wildfires require unprecedented co-ordination across jurisdictions and countries. Yet our communication infrastructure remains siloed, fragmented, and vulnerable to the conditions these disasters create.

As thousands of people evacuate due to raging wildfires, our communications infrastructure is breaking down exactly when emergency responders and evacuees need it, writes Kevin Fernandes. Photograph courtesy of the Government of Manitoba

Canada’s wildfire response infrastructure is failing when lives depend on it

OpinionBY KEVIN FERNANDES

Wildfires require unprecedented co-ordination across jurisdictions and countries. Yet our communication infrastructure remains siloed, fragmented, and vulnerable to the conditions these disasters create.

Canada’s wildfire response infrastructure is failing when lives depend on it

OpinionBY KEVIN FERNANDES

Wildfires require unprecedented co-ordination across jurisdictions and countries. Yet our communication infrastructure remains siloed, fragmented, and vulnerable to the conditions these disasters create.

Is Plamondon a wolf in expensive clothing?

OpinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon could be Quebec’s next premier. What does that mean for Canada?

An Indigenous-led second port on Hudson Bay will help unite Canada

OpinionBY DOROTHY DOBBIE

Currently, most of our products go to the easy market down south, but we have long been anxious to diversify our customer base.

U.S. envoy Hoekstra opens his Ottawa home for July 4 festivities

FeatureBY SAM GARCIA

The Hill Times

THE LATEST POLICY BRIEFINGS

Indigenous Relations

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Natural Resources

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Canada Part I: Interprovincial Trade & Labour

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features

Minister Champagne brings some fresh faces to finance file

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Staffers currently leading Champagne’s policy team previously worked for the ministers of international trade, innovation, and housing.

Minister Champagne brings some fresh faces to finance file

FeatureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Staffers currently leading Champagne’s policy team previously worked for the ministers of international trade, innovation, and housing.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Hodgson to P.E.I. to talk resource strategy

FeatureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Full ambassadors to Laos and Cambodia among 24 diplomatic appointments

FeatureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Assembly of First Nations hosts virtual forum to discuss the One Canadian Economy Act on July 10

Pancake flops and a looming byelection: MPs dress the part at Stampede for ‘lobbying highlight of BBQ season’

NewsBY ELEANOR WAND

Macdonald-Laurier Institute to host talk on AI policy in Canada on July 7: ‘A unique path between the EU and U.S.’

Parliamentarians celebrate Fourth of July at Lornado amid trade war, annexation threats

FeatureBY NEIL MOSS

Chinese boats get feds in hot water

FeatureBY RIDDHI KACHHELA

Parliamentary Calendar

Calgary Stampede kicks off on July 4

Podcast

Making sense of the ‘Building Canada Act’, with Elizabeth May

feature

The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2024

News

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

Podcast

The return of Parliament, with Sheila Copps

Policy Briefing – Health

Policy Briefing – Defence

Policy Briefing – Renewable Energy

Policy Briefing – CANADA: Interprovincial Trade & Labour

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

EXCLUSIVE LISTS

Meet Carney’s parliamentary secretaries, half of whom are rookie MPs

The 19 entities asking for the biggest spending boosts in the 2025-26 main estimates

Meet Mark Carney’s 38-member senior team

The salaries of Carney’s cabinet and secretaries of state

Who’s in and who’s out of Carney’s post-election cabinet?

MPs, Senators get a salary boost, Carney will now earn $419,600, Scheer $308,800, and Blanchet $280,600

Grits and Tories dominated the 109 safest seats this election

Tories strip five Ontario ridings of bellwether status, while 29 seats remain

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Post

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

Finance & Budget

Canada Revenue Agency to slash full-time jobs tied to benefits programs, ‘sunsetting’ tax policies

The agency forecasts reaching 47,732 staff by 2027–28, down from the planned 50,804 this fiscal year, reporting some layoffs tied to sunsetting pandemic-era programs and the consumer carbon tax.

BY PETER MAZEREEUW

Senate ethics office ‘not keeping up with demand,’ calls for more resources in annual report

The first annual report from the new Senate Ethics Officer says the office is struggling with ‘strained’ resources and unable to keep up with Senator’s requests.

BY ELEANOR WAND

Why government’s aversion to risk impacts Indigenous Peoples the most

CIRNAC and ISC must be forced to actually get the money out the door to Indigenous communities because this is the rare case in which federal spending done poorly actually leads to lost lives.

BY ROSE LEMAY

Can Canada be a clean energy superpower? Not without tax credits

It will take enormous commitment and discipline to meet the bold promise of making Canada a clean energy superpower—traits that have not yet been demonstrated on the clean energy and climate file.

BY SHAWN MCCARTHY

Feds’ spending review to-do list: rethink regs, Crown corps, and costly consultants

Too often, well-meaning restructurings don’t have the right execution plan, or reforms add complexity. If the Carney government is serious with this spending review, it must be honest about what hasn’t worked and why.

BY RAM MATHILAKATH

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the national supply chain office “will enhance the resilience, efficiency, and reliability of our transportation systems,” in a Transport Canada press release on Dec. 1, 2023.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.

Supply chain strategy must go beyond transportation, says Supply Chain Canada president

PostBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

A national supply chain strategy will require a holistic understanding of what the supply chain is, which is often misunderstood, according to Martin Montanti, president and CEO of Supply Chain Canada.