A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) retiree at the end of his rope has just won his battle against the federal apparatus, who will hand him a $5,000 check to wipe out the towel on five years of hellish financial stress.
• Also read: A former Canadian Internal Revenue Service official who was ruined by Phoenix’s payments system
• Also read: Phoenix wage system: around 60,000 new problems in two years
“I was called last Thursday to say I’m being offered the second largest amount related to Phoenix’s salary problem, which is $5,000,” said Pierre Lacelle, a Canadian IRS retiree, with a relieved smile.
“It’s a flat rate, net, tax-free,” he adds, laying his hand on the stack of papers on the table that testify to the arduous exchange with the CRA as we played yo-yo with his paycheck.
End of August, The newspaper had told the story of the breathless manwho took early retirement for his ailing wife and later paid dearly for it because of problems with the Phoenix pay system.
Back then, Pierre Lacelle didn’t want to reveal his identity so as not to alarm those around him, but today he’s strengthened by his victory.
“I’m proud to have won against a fairly sophisticated machine,” he says.
“I’ll be able to breathe, even if there won’t be more luxuries, but at least I’ve got my finances settled,” he says.
By offering him $5,000, the CRA is acknowledging the knock-on effect his repeated salary problems have had on his credit and the dark thoughts he may have had, he thinks.
At least 60,000 new issues
Last Tuesday, TVA Nouvelles reported that Phoenix still blights public servants enough to report 60,000 new problems over the past two years, according to the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Public Services and Procurement Canada still estimates 174,000 outstanding payslips, up from 630,000 in winter 2018.
Pierre Lacelle, who himself worked at the CRA for more than 30 years, did not hesitate to denounce the aggressive attitude of some agents in the Journal yesterday.
Canada’s Internal Revenue Service said it receives an average of fewer than 70 complaints a year “related to the conduct of Quebec residents’ call center employees.”
The ARC clarified that these “are not specific to aggressive behavior,” that they are rare, and that they are always the subject of investigation.
“No aggressive behavior by call center agents toward taxpayers will be tolerated,” said spokeswoman Hannah Wardell.
♦ A new payroll system needs to be implemented in 2025 or 2026, but prior to migration, issues related to the old system need to be resolved first.
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