The chief of the federal public service has indicated that the government’s plan to reduce spending and increase investments will lead to the elimination of 40,000 jobs by scaling back or terminating programs. Michael Sabia, the Privy Council clerk, conveyed this message in a memorandum addressed to federal employees following the announcement of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural budget. The memo highlights the significant task of cutting $60 billion over five years, emphasizing the need for sacrifices to achieve this goal.
Sabia acknowledged the substantial impact of these measures on individuals serving the country and their families, emphasizing the tangible consequences of the proposed cuts. He mentioned that certain programs will face reductions or limitations in scope, while others will be discontinued entirely to meet the targets set by the Carney administration. The public service is expected to see a reduction of approximately 40,000 positions, with some cuts already in progress.
These job reductions are contingent on the approval of the federal budget by Parliament in the coming weeks. Sabia assured that swift decisions will be taken once the cuts commence to minimize uncertainty, and affected employees facing layoffs or early retirements will receive necessary support during this transition period.