June 24, 2025 - Thank you for your questions and for your continued engagement with the National Passport Calls.
We understand that many members have asked why National Passport Calls are not recorded and shared more broadly. While we truly value transparency and member access to information, these calls often involve sensitive discussions, real-time strategy updates, and personal input from members and leaders. To maintain a safe space for open dialogue and to respect privacy, especially when discussing ongoing actions, we have made the decision not to record and distribute these meetings.
That said, we are committed to ensuring all members have access to the information shared on these calls. This is why we provide regular updates and summaries through the Passport Corner and other communications. These materials are curated to ensure that all members receive the latest news, updates, and ways to stay involved—without compromising confidentiality or member comfort during live discussions.
We truly appreciate your interest and involvement. If there are specific questions or topics, you would like more information on, please do not hesitate to reach out to:
- Alisha Kang, National president at president@une-sen.org
- Shawn Walker, Regional Vice-President Outside Canada at shawn.walker@une-sen.org
- and Douglas Hill, Director Member Representation and Labour Relations at douglas.hill@une-sen.org
We are here to support you.
In solidarity
UNE was advised on May 22, 2025 by the employer that there would be job cuts at Passport Canada, as the government aims to elminate 800 term positions. Members were later informed their last day would be June 27th, 2025. This is an unfortunate turn of events as Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would be capping, not cutting the public service. These cuts, along with 280 cuts at CRA, will directly affect the quality of services for Canadians.
As a result, UNE held a National Passport Calls to allow members to ask questions and receive support from the union.
Thank you to all members who signed up for the group grievance. Click here to add your name to the group grievance.
Passport Group Grievance
UNE filed the following grievance on June 13, 2025
Grievance Details:
This is a group grievance against Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada alleging a violation of article 19 (No Discrimination).
In making the announcement on May 22nd, 2025 the employer (ESDC/SC )stated that they applied an "equity lens" when terminating 800 term employees.
The "equity lens" demographic targeted is obviously based on race, creed, colour, national or ethnic origin, people with physical and mental disability some of whom have requested accommodation and people with membership or activity with the union.
This targeted selection process is both systemically and individually discriminatory and is a violation of article 19 of the relevant collective agreement and the a violation of the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Therefore, UNE is filing this Equity Lens Termination Group Grievance on behalf of those members impacted across Canada as those impacted disproportionately come from a demographic that is a protected or prohibited ground and these terminations amount to systemic and individual discrimination on various grounds.
Date on which each act, omission or other matter giving rise to the grievance occurred:
May 22, 2025
Corrective action requested:
- To be reinstated for the remainder of their term
- To be made whole
- To Receive damages under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
Resources
National Call Videos