The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has denied the second joint application from the BCGEU and the B.C. Government to designate deputy sheriff and conservation officer classifications as 'public safety occupations' for the purposes of early retirement under the federal Income Tax Act.

The CRA decision is deeply disappointing to the BCGEU, which submitted a comprehensive joint submission with the B.C. Public Sector Employers Council Secretariat (BCSPEC) to the federal government.

The BCGEU will review the CRA's decision to identify options going forward, and will continue fighting for the 'public safety occupation' designation for deputy sheriffs and conservation officers.