Canada Revenue Agency cutting around 260 jobs in new round of layoffs

The Canada Revenue Agency is set to lay off around 260 employees as part of a new round of workforce adjustments at its regional offices. CRA spokesperson Etienne Biram said in a statement that "both executive and non-executive positions are impacted." Around 735 employees across regional offices were told on Oct. 28 that their positions were at risk, but some of those jobs will be safe, and the CRA provided guarantees of continued employment to 110 affected employees.

Adam Jackson, president of the Union of Taxation Employees, told the Ottawa Citizen that the remaining employees must go through a retention process. "This is saving money on the backs of our members, which we fundamentally oppose," Jackson said. He argued the agency should have "more employees" serving Canadians, "not less."

Biram said the changes are meant to "align programs, services and organizational structures with current and future business needs," citing structural changes to programs and services and the federal government's spending review. "The CRA has made significant progress in reducing expenditures and finding efficiencies," Biram said, adding that the agency expects no service disruptions to Canadians. Jackson disagreed, saying the layoffs will have a "trickle-down effect" and that service delivery impacts are coming "for sure."

Jackson said letters went out widely to the assessment and benefit services branch, the commissioner's office, human resources, compliance and other branches, but were "certainly not as widespread" at contact centres, if at all. The layoffs follow a relatively quiet stretch since the agency let go thousands of workers in 2025. The federal budget is due Nov. 5.