MP Gord Johns demands action to fix CRA 'service meltdown'

NDP MP Gord Johns (Courtenay-Alberni) is calling on the federal finance minister to put an end to the Canada Revenue Agency’s "chronic service failures that are leaving Canadians stranded for weeks or even months without help." “My constituents are spending hours on hold, getting their calls dropped, and waiting months for answers,” said Johns in a press release. “This isn’t just frustrating— it’s causing real financial and personal hardship.” Johns noted that seniors, people without internet access, and community organizations are being hit hardest. In one case, stated the release, an 81-year-old constituent was unable to reach a live agent after repeated attempts. Another taxpayer was locked out of their MyCRA account for three months without resolution. Even community institutions are suffering, said Johns, stating one local Legion branch has been unable to resolve a business account issue despite multiple attempts. Inquiries from Johns’ office to the CRA’s Problems Resolution Program are now taking five to six weeks just to be assigned to an agent, compared with the usual three to five days, the release stated. In a letter to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_of_Finance_(Canada)#:~:text=Fran%C3%A7ois%2DPhilippe%20Champagne%20is%20the%2042nd,Canadian%20Ministry%20of%20Mark%20Carney.], Johns urged immediate action. He called for more staff for CRA call centres and for responding to MPs’ inquiries. He urged the government to immediately fix recurring problems such as account lockouts and dropped calls. Johns also pressed for the restoration of in-person CRA service in underserved communities so that vulnerable Canadians are not left behind. “Canadians shouldn’t have to fight this hard just to get help with their taxes,” said Johns. “The Minister needs to fix this — now.”