(Montreal) The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) considers that the strike of some 35,000 workers at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has lasted long enough and is calling on the federal government on Wednesday to adopt a special back-to-work legislation.

The Federation, which brings together owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada, recalls that an agreement in principle was reached a few days ago between the government and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on the employment contract of more than 120,000 civil servants.

CFIB Vice-President of National Affairs, Jasmin Guénette, reminds that certain companies must file their tax returns by June 15 and that SMEs must continue to regularly remit the goods and services tax (GST) and sales taxes to the government. The same is true for payroll taxes, which include contributions to employment insurance and the Canada Pension Plan, among others.

Mr. Guénette says that each day of strikes further complicates the situation for SMEs.

Earlier this week, the Alliance confirmed that the two sides had met, without reaching an agreement. For its part, the Agency wrote in a press release that negotiations had resumed in person with a view to arriving at a new collective agreement as soon as possible.