The head of the federal public service has indicated that the budget’s plan to reduce spending and increase investments could lead to the elimination of 40,000 jobs through program cutbacks. Michael Sabia, the Privy Council clerk, conveyed this information in a memo distributed to federal employees following the unveiling of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inaugural budget. The memo underscored the government’s commitment to slashing $60 billion over five years, emphasizing that such a significant reduction would require sacrifices.
Sabia acknowledged the substantial impact of these measures on public service employees and their families, stating, “That number has real consequences for people who serve their country and for their families. I am not going to try to diminish those consequences. They are real.” He clarified that meeting the government’s targets would necessitate scaling down or discontinuing certain programs, resulting in approximately 40,000 fewer positions within the public service, with some reductions already in progress.
The proposed job cuts are contingent upon the approval of the federal budget by Parliament later this month. Sabia emphasized the swift decision-making process to minimize uncertainty once the cuts are initiated, ensuring that individuals affected by layoffs and early retirements receive appropriate support.