Government Workers Denounce Layoffs and Rampant Cuts to Federal Programs

Federal public sector workers protest outside Liberal Party convention, Montreal, April 11, 2026

Federal government workers, organized in the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), are raising their voices and organizing demonstrations and other forms of protest against the government's actions, as experienced workers are facing waves of workforce reductions while outsourcing spending soars. They are pointing out the irrationality of what is taking place, the hypocrisy of firing long-time public service workers and losing their knowledge and experience while hiring more consultants who are paid far more than the public employees they work alongside.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has decreed that the federal public service workforce should be reduced by 40,000 and that government departments must find 15 per cent in "savings" with the aim of achieving $60 billion in cuts in government spending over five years. Notably, the Department of National Defence, the RCMP, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are largely shielded from these cuts and will actually see major increases to fuel the militarization of the economy and strengthening police powers against the people.

Reports indicate the Carney government had already issued notices to about 18,000 federal government workers by January, and more since, saying that their jobs may be cut. Workers report that there is no consultation, no transparency and no one knows what will be hit next or when or why. The three largest unions representing federal government workers indicate that 30 federal departments and museums have issued such notices. PSAC says that as of January 23, approximately 7,400 of its members received notices in December and January, while 5,365 members of PIPSC and 5,116 members of CAPE are facing job cuts.

In most cases no discussion has taken place with the workers who will be affected nor with the unions, even where collective agreements require it, and unions are finding out about the notices as the workers receive them. Workers have referred to the way they are being targeted as akin to the "Hunger Games."

Across the federal public service, workers are denouncing the cuts and the manner in which they are being carried out, without regard to the services that people depend on or the workers who provide those services who are considered disposable.

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This article was published in

Volume 56 Number 28 - May 2, 2026

Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T560282.HTM

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