BY SIMONE J. SMITH
You, yes you, are amongst a montage of people who interact with various public services. It is the parent enrolling their child in school, a senior citizen receiving a pension check, a small business owner consulting with a government advisor.
In the heart of our communities, a powerful force works tirelessly, ensuring the smooth functioning of our society. These are the public servants, the dedicated individuals who form the backbone of Canada. From the classrooms where young minds are nurtured to the hospitals that heal the sick, public servants are the lifeblood of our communities. They provide essential services that enrich our lives and strengthen the fabric of our society.
Recent reports suggest that many public service roles are at risk of becoming obsolete. This trend, if left unchecked, could have devastating consequences for our communities.
I received an email from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, one of Canada’s largest unions, that represents nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 180,000 federal public service workers. The email was to raise serious concerns about the federal government’s plans to reduce government spending by cutting public service jobs delivering critical services to regular people.
It was reported that without prior consultation, the government unilaterally announced their plans to cut costs across the federal public service during a briefing with unions on the Refocusing Government Spending Initiative on November 7th, 2024.
“We’ve seen this horror movie before –– and it always ends badly for families across the country,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Make no mistake ––– everyday people always pay the price when public services are cut.”
The 2023 budget outlined $15 billion in cuts to programs and services over the next four years, with another $3 billion in spending reductions announced in last year’s Fall Economic Statement.
“The last time we saw blanket public service cuts under the Harper government, there were grave impacts to the services Canada depends on – from food inspection to border security and employment insurance,” said President DeSousa. “With so many families struggling today, this is not the time to claw back critical programs and cut jobs.”
President DeSousa does have a valid point; as technology advances and societal needs evolve, the role of public servants is more critical than ever. They are the ones who bridge the digital divide, ensuring that everyone has access to essential services. They are the ones who protect our vulnerable populations and advocate for social justice.
When the cuts were first announced in 2022, Mona Fortier, Treasury Board President at the time, said the government would find six billion in savings by increasing remote work and selling off real estate.
Last year, Treasury Board President Anita Anand promised workers wouldn’t be asked to do more with less and that there would be no job losses. Then we heard that 5,000 jobs would be reduced through natural attrition.
Now, there is a very different story. Reportedly, the government is now widening the net, looking to cut term and casual employees, and opening the door for departments to slash permanent employees through Workforce Adjustment.
Federal departments have been assigned specific budget reduction targets in salary line items. PSAC is insisting that unions must be consulted while these targets are reviewed. These targets, protected under Cabinet privilege, will remain confidential until they are made public in June 2025.
“Workers and families are waiting in limbo. People who benefit from critical programs won’t know if the services they depend on will be cut.” said President DeSousa. “Public service workers won’t know if they’ll have jobs by next summer – if they can renew their mortgage, start a family, or pay their student loans.”
“You can’t have it both ways. You can’t find billions in cuts without slashing the important services people depend on. PSAC will be fighting back against these public service cuts and protecting workers caught in the crossfire.”
Support Public Service. Support Our Communities. Our hope stands in the community. Utilize this knowledge to start advocating for yourselves, for your families, for your home.
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