PSAC strike to affect Kingston services, including picket line locations

Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Canada’s largest federal public service union, will go on strike after bargaining with the Federal government failed to produce an agreement before the deadline set for 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023.

In the Kingston, Ontario area, that will mean that certain areas will see picket lines and that certain services are likely to see significant delays. PSAC says that picket lines will be occurring throughout the strike at three locations in the Kingston area:

Joyceville Institution – 3766 Highway 15

CFB Kingston – 29 Niagara Park

Collins Bay Institution – 1455 Bath Road

As a result of the confirmed strike, Kingston Transit will also modify its bus services in Kingston’s east end, serving CFB Kingston. “Route 12 buses will only provide service to CFB Kingston on Niagara Park Drive between Lundy’s Lane and Hwy 2 on weekdays before 2 p.m until further notice,” Kingston Transit said on social media on Tuesday night. “Before 2 p.m., from the intersection of Hwý 2 & Fort Henry Drive, buses will detour right to Fort Henry, left to Lundy’s, & left to Niagara Park to resume regular route.  Route 12 will operate on regular route through CFB Kingston after 2 p.m. weekdays, & on Sat & Sun.”

The Federal government also released a list of services that are likely to see disruptions and delays as a result of the strike:

Canada Revenue Agency 

Certain CRA services may be delayed or unavailable. Specifically, the CRA anticipates there may be delays in processing some income tax and benefit returns, particularly those filed by paper, and increased wait times in contact centres.

The CRA says benefit payments would be prioritized, and the Canada Child Benefit would continue during the labour disruption.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will continue to offer regular police services and essential services necessary for the safety and security of the public will continue as usual.

However, services like administrative support, media relations, web updates and public access to buildings where the RCMP are located may be disrupted.

Canada Border Services Agency

It is expected that CBSA services to travellers and businesses will be maintained.

Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard’s search and rescue, environmental response and icebreaking services will be maintained, though some programs and services, such as lighthouses and the wrecked, abandoned and hazardous vessels program, may be partially or fully disrupted.

Employment and Social Development Canada and Service Canada

Essential services will be maintained, including the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance and Social Insurance Numbers. However, there may be some delays in processing and increased wait times in call centres.

In-person services at Service Canada Centres will be limited to clients requiring assistance with Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement. Offices will remain open, but days and hours of operation may vary.

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program, Canada Education Savings Bond and Canada Disability Savings Grant and Canada Disability Savings Bond services may be partially or fully disrupted.

Passports

Passport services may be partially or fully disrupted.

Transport Canada

Essential services will be maintained but there may be impacts such as delays in accessing points of service.

Services maintained:

•  Transport Canada Centres
•  Transport Canada-owned and operated airports
•  Civil aviation safety and security oversight
•  Rail safety and security oversight
•  Transportation of dangerous good oversight
•  Marine safety and security oversight
•  Issuance of pleasure craft operator cards and pleasure craft licenses
•  National enforcement program
•  Hours of service – Issuance of exemptions for federally regulated commercial motor vehicle undertakings 
•  Motor vehicle safety general information email 
•  Motor vehicle safety online defect complaint form and posting of new safety recalls 

Services partially or fully disrupted:

•  Public outreach
•  Regulatory work
•  Aircraft services
•  Services such as issuance of licenses, certificates, and registrations
•  Motor vehicle safety 1-800 defect complaints and recalls hotline, defect complaint analysis, defect investigations, and recall oversight
•  Transportation security clearances
•  1-888 service for ordering TC publications and forms, and answering questions on products

Canadian Transportation Agency

Staff will continue with all regulatory activities, including the issuing of air licenses and air, rail and marine determinations.

Dispute resolution activities and services providing information via phone calls and emails may be partially or fully disrupted.

Global Affairs Canada

All essential services that could affect the safety, security and health of Canadians and other clients will be maintained.

Travel advice and advisories will continue, as will consular services through the Consular Operations Team and the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

Consular services, including citizenship and passport services, will continue to be offered to Canadians through the Global Affairs Canada network of missions, but delays are expected.

Health Canada

All essential services that could affect the safety, security and health of Canadians and other clients will be maintained.

Non-essential services could experience delays in processing requests and response times to telephone and email enquiries.

Library and Archives Canada

Certain services may be affected. Service points in Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax expect to remain open. However, there may be disruptions in services.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The following programs and services may be affected:

•  AgriInvest
•  AgriStability
•  Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program
•  Wine Sector Support Program
•  Youth Employment and Skills Program
•  Federal programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Some services will still be available.  Applicants will be able to apply online, use online accounts and access some emergency services.

However, some services will be impacted, and applicants should expect delays with:

• Processing applications
•  In-person appointments or events including citizenship ceremonies
•  Contacting IRCC via email, phone or social media
•  Consular citizenship and passport services
•  Passport services in Canada

Indigenous Services Canada

Certain services may be affected.

Veterans Affairs Canada

Current customers will continue to receive their monthly payments for Disability Benefits, income replacement benefits and additional compensation for pain and suffering, but Veterans Affairs Canada will have a significantly reduced ability to process new benefits.