Unions have reported that nearly 10,000 federal public sector employees received layoff notices in the last week. This considerable number highlights ongoing concerns regarding job security and public service levels in Canada.
Overview of Layoff Notices
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) disclosed that over 5,000 of its members were given “workforce adjustment notices.” Various departments are affected, and key figures include:
- 1,172 workers at Global Affairs Canada
- 775 workers at Transport Canada
- 598 workers at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- 895 workers at Health Canada
Additional notices were issued to employees at Public Safety Canada, Canadian Heritage, and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Impact of Job Cuts on Public Services
Sharon DeSousa, the national president of PSAC, emphasized the importance of public services. She stated that cuts will lead to slower services and longer wait times, stressing that these services are vital for communities.
The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) reported that about 2,550 of its members also received notices. Significant job cuts impact sectors such as Employment and Social Development Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Consequences of Departmental Cuts
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, representing over 2,700 members affected, warned about the implications for science-based departments. Sean O’Reilly, president of the institute, reiterated that cutting expert positions jeopardizes public safety and environmental protection.
He specifically pointed out that essential roles include preventing disasters and ensuring public trust in weather warnings. The potential loss of expertise in these areas has raised alarms among union leaders.
Government’s Spending Review
The Canadian federal government is pursuing plans to cut approximately $60 billion in spending over the next five years. This initiative is part of a “comprehensive expenditure review” aimed at restructuring operations across various departments.
- The public service workforce will be reduced by 40,000 from a peak of 368,000 jobs by 2023-24.
- There will be a reduction of 1,000 executive positions within two years.
- Management and consulting services will see a spending cut of 20% over three years.
The government has also introduced a voluntary early retirement program targeting nearly 68,000 public servants. This program encourages older employees to retire early without penalties, thereby fostering attrition while aiming to retain younger workers.
This early retirement initiative is expected to be implemented by the end of the month, further impacting the dynamics within the federal workforce.
