During the fifth bargaining round concluded January 22, the Canada Revenue Agency and the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Union of Taxation Employees debated rules that could shape future overseas telework for thousands of federal employees. Union negotiators pressed for clear guidelines allowing staff to work temporarily outside Canada to accompany spouses on short-term foreign postings—an increasingly common scenario as dual-career families pursue international opportunities.(canada.ca)
Management acknowledged that current policies are inconsistent across departments, with some directorates permitting up to 30 days of out-of-country telework and others banning it outright due to tax-presence and data-sovereignty concerns. The CRA tabled a proposal to create a formal approval process tied to risk assessments for data security, host-country tax exposure and duty-of-care obligations.
Although the negotiations are internal to the federal workforce, multinational employers are watching closely. The CRA is Canada’s competent authority for social-security certificates of coverage, and its stance could influence how aggressively it audits private-sector remote-work arrangements that blur residency lines.
![CRA–PSAC Bargaining Talks Spotlight Remote-Work Abroad Policies]()
For employees who find themselves suddenly needing entry visas, transit permits, or other travel documents to facilitate short-term foreign postings, VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can streamline the process. The platform offers step-by-step guidance, digital document uploads, and expedited processing options, allowing teleworkers and their employers to focus on compliance and productivity instead of paperwork.
If the union secures concessions, observers expect a ripple effect across crown corporations and federally regulated employers, many of which adopt CRA precedents when crafting remote-work and “work-from-anywhere” policies.
Talks are scheduled to resume in late February, with the union warning of possible job action during the April tax-filing rush if progress stalls.
Management acknowledged that current policies are inconsistent across departments, with some directorates permitting up to 30 days of out-of-country telework and others banning it outright due to tax-presence and data-sovereignty concerns. The CRA tabled a proposal to create a formal approval process tied to risk assessments for data security, host-country tax exposure and duty-of-care obligations.
Although the negotiations are internal to the federal workforce, multinational employers are watching closely. The CRA is Canada’s competent authority for social-security certificates of coverage, and its stance could influence how aggressively it audits private-sector remote-work arrangements that blur residency lines.
For employees who find themselves suddenly needing entry visas, transit permits, or other travel documents to facilitate short-term foreign postings, VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) can streamline the process. The platform offers step-by-step guidance, digital document uploads, and expedited processing options, allowing teleworkers and their employers to focus on compliance and productivity instead of paperwork.
If the union secures concessions, observers expect a ripple effect across crown corporations and federally regulated employers, many of which adopt CRA precedents when crafting remote-work and “work-from-anywhere” policies.
Talks are scheduled to resume in late February, with the union warning of possible job action during the April tax-filing rush if progress stalls.
