A Canadian Coast Guard employee who had half his pay cut after the Phoenix failures now fears he will “lose everything.”
“I’m losing everything. I have three kids, that’s two mortgage payments I can’t afford. I have nothing left in my account,” says an emotional Michel Landry, who has worked in the public service for 25 years.
Phoenix’s failure made headlines again last week when a Defense Department retiree was still chasing his $118,000 check and a former Service Canada executive was unable to collect her $20,000 severance pay four years after resigning to receive US dollars (see other texts below).
Michel Landry estimates the system has drained him of $155,000 so far. His problems reportedly began in March 2016 when he was appointed to a new position. But his salary would not have been adjusted accordingly.
“They didn’t take me to the right level. Instead of putting me at level 4, they put me at level 1. That’s where my ordeal began,” explains the resident of the Île d’Orléans near Quebec. His statements are also confirmed in an email from his employer, which was consulted by our investigative office.
Michel Landry, photographed at his residence on the Île d’Orléans. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Payroll was halved
But since the fall of 2022, instead of paying him the amounts owed, the federal government has devoted itself to withdrawing thousands of dollars that would have been paid to him as “overpayments,” also symptomatic of Phoenix’s problems.
At certain times his salary was cut by half, making it very difficult to pay his bills. Especially since Mr. Landry’s financial obligations were greater since he had just bought back half of his house after a separation.
The official says he is unable to quantify the amounts overpaid because the compensation authority, which he says he has “contacted hundreds of times,” is still reviewing his file.
“But even if they gave me $50,000 too much… they still owe me $100,000! In 2023 alone they owe me $25,000,” complains the 44-year-old.
Sick leave
At the end of his strength and tired, Michel Landry went on sick leave last June.
In a final attempt to recover his money, Mr. Landry wrote to the Compensation Board again on October 30, demanding “immediate emergency action” or he would “lose everything.”
“I don’t understand why no one does anything immediately, nothing to help me, not even able to make a decision to act, no moral support, not even a call,” he wrote.
To this, “The MaPaye Team” responded on November 3 that they understood that his situation was “critical” but “that a careful analysis was necessary to ensure the correct resolution of his problem.” He was assured of a return within the next week. But nothing since then.
At Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), we decline to comment on the file, citing confidentiality.
“The resources and time required to resolve wage-related issues depend on the type of file, with each case being unique,” said spokesman Alexandre Baillairgé-Charbonneau.
More recent Phoenix failures
A check for $118,000 is expected
A national defense retiree is still waiting for his $118,000 check from the federal government for his vacation and severance pay.
The Journal reported last week on the misfortune of Gaétan Thibault of Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, near Quebec, who worked for the federal government for 35 years. However, according to our report, Mr. Thibault received a call from a payroll consultant who received his file “as a priority” for processing, he says.
Gaétan Thibault, retired from the federal civil service. Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“The accrued vacation pay will be paid in the coming days and my severance pay will be paid by the end of the year, this person said,” Gaétan Thibault told us.
Even four years after his resignation, there is still no severance payment
A former Service Canada regional director is unable to receive her severance pay of more than $20,000, four years after she resigned.
Kareen Joseph from La Vallée-du-Richelieu served in public service for 20 years before resigning in April 2019. She even demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau receive her check, the Journal reported last May.
Kareen Joseph, former executive director of Service Canada, is going after the federal apparatus for failing to respect its employees. Photo Francis Halin
However, Ms. Joseph’s situation has not changed since then, except that she has received a new summary table of her situation. “I dare hope I get a Christmas present,” she said, laughing.
With Francis Halin
Can you share information about this story?
Write to us or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.