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LOBBYING REPORT
Shawinigan Local 10005

Date: May 25, 2006

MP NAME: JEAN-YVES LAFOREST

CONSTITUENCY:  SAINT-MAURICE / CHAMPLAIN

PARTY: BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS

MEETING DATE: MAY 23, 2006  TIME: 4:00 TO 5:00 P.M.

Who was involved in the lobbying?

In order : MP Jean-Yves Laforest; Sylvie Lahaie, Vice President of local 10005; Michel Lampron,Paule Brunelle's political attache, and Normand Pelletier PSAC

Topic of the meeting:

Closure of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) enquiries counters and Agency job losses.

Summary of the situation:

• the Canada Revenue Agency’s departure from client walk-in service at Tax Services Offices.
• the implementation of self-service kiosks at TSOs with computers, but without printers
• the elimination of providing printouts on demand at TSOs
• the closure of certain CRA tax operations offices (St. Stephen)
• the reduction of 1175 permanent positions and 1300 part-time positions at Tax Centres and the introduction of two-dimensional bar codes
• the movement towards one-stop and unspecialized service at Service Canada Centres.
• the centralization of Finance and Administration (Pay Office).

Do you believe that your MP understands the issues raised?

I should first mention Mr. Lampron’s relocation from Ms. Brunelle’s office (T-R) to the office of the neighbouring constituency’s MP, Mr. Laforest.

Mr. Laforest had recently received post cards from the public complaining about the upcoming closure of the enquiries counters.

We explained to him the inconveniences of this service reduction for Canadians, the impact of eliminating face-to-face service for the elderly and low-income earners, and the loss of jobs for Agency employees.  We also informed him that these are major job losses for the region given that the Shawinigan-Sud Tax Centre is one of the region’s largest employers.

Mr. Laforest told us that he is taking the issues very seriously because the public and the employees are entitled to adequate service and that the job losses would be highly detrimental to the people of Mauricie.

Do you believe that your MP is prepared to support the union view?

Mr. Laforest was very open to our comments and suggested taking everything to the MP responsible for this matter who should be the Bloc Québécois critic for it. He told us that he would take action opposing the situation.  He would also register the post cards as a petition to the House of Commons.

Do you believe that your MP is prepared to collaborate actively on this matter?

Mr. Laforest is personally committed to asking the House of Commons to acknowledge the problem and accordingly file the petition.  He is also committed to finding the MP responsible for the matter and informing him of the problem facing the people in the region (loss of jobs and service).

What written material on the issue did you submit to your MP, if applicable?

We gave him the December 8, 2005 news release prepared by the UTE Political Action Committee.  We also gave him the April 1, 2006 news release.  In addition, we gave him a binder containing background information on the UTE and will send him information regarding the centralization of Finance and Administration (Pay Office sent to Ottawa and Winnipeg).

Is immediate follow-up required?

Sending him information regarding the centralization of Finance and Administration (Pay Office sent to Ottawa and Winnipeg) and perhaps information on the Tax Centre expansion that has not happened yet.

MP response or comments that should be noted?

MP Jean-Yves Laforest and Ms. Paule Brunelle’s political attaché (Mr. Michel Lampron) agreed to make this a regional issue because Canada Revenue Agency job losses at Shawinigan-Sud and Trois-Rivières are the focus of their concerns.  In addition, low-income earners and the elderly are affected by this situation, and the complaints are just beginning. 

General comments on the meeting (MP’s attitude, his interest in the matter etc.).

At the beginning of the meeting, Normand Pelletier explained to them the structure of the PSAC and the UTE.  When they understood the issue and the reason we were there, they were very cordial.  They truly listened to what we had to say and were very warm and interested in the matter. 

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