The Canadian Budget watchdog estimates the Federal Government has lost at least $C439 million ($A458 million) so far this year in productivity through a policy that allows Public Servants to stay home, with pay, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) says most of that total was a result of employees at the Canada Revenue Agency staying home, unable to work, between 15 March 15 and 31 May.
That one Department accounted for just over $C311 million ($A325 million) in paid leave, far ahead of the second-costliest Department, Correctional Services Canada, at more than $C33.8 million ($A35.3 million).
The report says the Canada Revenue Agency told the PBO that limitations on work was the most common reason for taking leave, mostly related to compliance and collection activities being postponed during the pandemic.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which represents the majority of Federal employees, called the numbers “modest”.
The PBO report was compiled at the request of Conservative MP, Kelly McCauley (pictured), who wanted to know the financial impact of the policy, known as Pay Code 699.
The policy allows Federal employees paid leave for emergencies such as being sick with COVID-19, having to quarantine, not being able to access the technology they need to complete their work and having to care for dependants.
It does not require employees to first use up other forms of paid leave, such as vacation, family emergencies or accumulated sick leave.
National President of the PSAC, Chris Aylward said the data showed the vast majority of Public Service employees were able to work at full capacity while only a third were occasionally forced to use 699 leave.
The PBO also noted the leave amounted to about one per cent of Government salaries for the period.
“The price of forcing layoffs and trying to rebuild the Public Service after the pandemic would have cost taxpayers tenfold — let alone the negative impact on our economy,” Mr Aylward said.
Ottawa, 29 July 2020
