Government announces new measures to help employees affected by Phoenix

Employees go to work expecting to be paid, and paid the right amount.

The Government of Canada takes its responsibility to pay its employees very seriously. That is why today, the President of the Treasury Board, the Honourable Scott Brison, announced additional measures to help the women and men who have been affected by Phoenix.

As part of the original 2009 implementation plan for Phoenix, the new pay system was supposed to generate savings across government departments. These departments were expected to transfer the savings they generated from Phoenix to the Government.

Given that employees need more support and departments need more resources to help resolve payroll issues, the Government will instead keep those funds within departments so they can ensure their employees receive the pay they are owed. This measure will keep the expected $70 million in departments, per year, over the next two fiscal years.

Recognizing the unfair financial burdens these pay issues have placed on some of our employees, the Government of Canada will also reimburse those who seek or have already obtained tax advice to address tax implications caused by problems with the Phoenix system. Employees who encountered Phoenix pay issues may seek up to $200 in reimbursement for tax advisory services in relation to their 2016 or 2017 income taxes.