Federal Budget: Government Plans Deep Public Service Cuts
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has voiced strong concerns about the federal government's intentions to dramatically reduce critical public services. The plan involves cutting over 40,000 federal public service jobs and weakening collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of workers.
Impact of Budget 2025
Despite the demands of an expanding and aging population, Budget 2025 proposes to eliminate essential programs and services within three years. This will coincide with the government's move to replace workers with artificial intelligence, as part of its Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER).
"These deep public service cuts will hurt workers, families and communities across Canada," said PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa.
She added, "People can expect longer wait times for passports, EI and child care benefits, more unanswered calls at Canada Revenue Agency, reduced public health and food safety efforts, and a government that isn’t there for ordinary people when they need it most."
Concerns About Job Cuts and AI
Rather than strengthening frontline services and supporting the workforce, the government is focusing on more job cuts and deploying AI chatbots. This approach risks weakening Canada’s social safety net when it is most needed.
Summary
The federal budget’s deep cuts threaten essential services and workers’ rights, risking significant harm to Canadian communities and support systems.