Approximately 18,600 federal public servants have received a notice over the past two months that their jobs may be cut as part of the federal government’s comprehensive expenditure review.
Data provided by three federal unions show more than 30 federal departments and museums have issued notices to employees so far in December and January. The issuing of workforce adjustment notices is part of the process, but receiving a letter does not mean an employee will lose their job.
More than 15,000 notices have been issued over the past two weeks, including 10,000 notices during the week of Jan. 19.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says, as of Jan. 23, approximately 7,400 of its members have received notices in December and January, while 5,365 members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) and 5,116 members of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) have received notices.
The Canada Strong Budget 2025 outlined a plan to cut another 28,000 positions from the federal public service over the next four years and find $60 billion in savings.
Data provided by the unions shows Statistics Canada has released the greatest number of notices so far, with 3,200 notices issued to employees. According to the unions, 2,395 notices were issued at Global Affairs Canada, 1,900 notices to employees at Health Canada, and 1,290 notices to unionized employees at Shared Services Canada.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the number of notices issued to employees in each federal department.
Statistics Canada
The three federal unions say nearly 3,200 notices were issued to employees at Statistics Canada the week of Jan. 12 warning their jobs may be cut.
CAPE says 1,906 of its members at StatsCan received notices, while 940 PIPSC members received notices and 350 PSAC members.
A spokesperson for Statistics Canada told CTV News Ottawa that the workforce adjustment will reduce the workforce by approximately 850 positions, in addition to a reduction of about 12 per cent of the executive team.
There were 7,274 employees at Statistics Canada as of March 2025, according to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Global Affairs Canada
A total of 2,395 notices were issued to unionized employees at Global Affairs Canada the week of Jan. 19, according to the unions.
PSAC says 1,172 of its members received notices, while 746 CAPE members and 477 PIPSC members received workforce adjustment notices.
A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada told CTV News Ottawa on Jan. 14 that notices will be issued to employees between Jan. 12 and 31.
“GAC is not in a position to provide an estimate number of notification letters being sent as decisions are being finalized,” the spokesperson said.
“However, like most departments, GAC will be sending affected letters to significantly more employees than the target number of positions to be eliminated.”
Global Affairs Canada employee 7,657 people as of March 2025.
Health Canada
Approximately 1,900 employees at Health Canada received notices the week of Jan. 19 to warn their jobs may be eliminated as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
PSAC said 895 of its members received notices at Health Canada, while 708 PIPSC members and 331 CAPE members also received notices.
Health Canada told CTV News Ottawa on Jan. 23 that details on the number of positions to be cut will be “available publicly in due course.”
“Health Canada is modernizing and streamlining its programs and operations, focusing resources on its core mandate and high-impact activities. The work of the department will be guided by science and evidence to uphold its core mandate of protecting the health and safety of Canadians,” the department said.
“The Department is also consolidating administrative functions, adopting digital and automation tools, and modernizing service delivery to enhance agility and client service.”
There were 9,628 employees at Health Canada as of March 2025.
Shared Services Canada
The three federal unions say approximately 1,290 members at Shared Services Canada received notices that their jobs may be eliminated as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
A total of 737 PIPSC members, 530 PSAC members and 23 CAPE members received notices.
A spokesperson for Shared Services Canada said that, “We are in the process of notifying employees and executives that their position is affected and may no longer be required.”
Shared Services Canada had 8,894 employees as of March 2025.
Transport Canada
A total of 1,281 employees received notices at Transport Canada received notices their jobs may be cut.
According to the unions, 775 PSAC members, 236 PIPSC members and 270 CAPE employees at Transport Canada received notices.
Transport Canada did not respond to a request for information on Jan. 20 about the number of positions that could be eliminated as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
There were 6,666 employees at Transport Canada as of March 2025.
Employment and Social Development Canada
Unions say 1,123 members at Employment and Social Development Canada received notices in January their jobs may be eliminated.
According to the unions, 534 CAPE members, 339 PIPSC members and 250 PSAC members received workforce adjustment notices. The Canada Employment and Immigration Unit said more than 1,400 members at the department received a notice the week of Jan. 19.
A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada said a “workforce adjustment process and a reduction in our executive complement” will begin this month, “to achieve our targets by the end of 2028-29.”
“We cannot confirm how many positions will be reduced at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Employment and Social Development Canada had 39,154 employees as of March 2025.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada notified employees on Jan. 15 that approximately 1,100 indeterminate employees would receive notices that their positions may be impacted by the comprehensive expenditure review.
The department plans to cut 45 executive and 569 non-executive positions over the next three years.
According to the unions, 598 PSAC members, 239 PIPSC members and 186 members of CAPE received notices.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada employed 6,526 people as of March 2025.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Environment Canada tells CTV News Ottawa its workforce will be reduced by approximately 840 full-time equivalent positions as part of the comprehensive expenditure review, including just under 40 executive roles.
The department said approximately 1,000 individuals, both executives and non-executives, will receive notices.
The unions say 988 members at Environment and Climate Change Canada received notices during the week of Jan. 19 that their jobs may be cut.
A total of 446 PSAC members, 248 PIPSC members and 294 CAPE members received notices.
According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 8,778 people worked at Environment and Climate Change Canada as of March 2025.
Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
The Deputy Minister informed employees on Jan. 20 that 1,043 employees at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will receive notices that their jobs may be affected. A spokesperson for the department told CTV News Ottawa that 655 positions will be eliminated.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said 304 of its members received notices, while 103 members of CAPE received notices.
Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada employed 5,690 people as of March 2025.
Public Services and Procurement Canada
The three federal unions say 970 of its members at Public Services and Procurement Canada received notices their jobs may be cut as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
According to the unions, 730 PSAC members, 110 PIPSC employees and 130 CAPE members received notices.
A spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Canada said employees were notified their positions may be eliminated on Jan. 14 and 15.
A total of 18,936 people worked at Public Services and Procurement Canada as of March 2025.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says approximately 587 positions will be eliminated as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
“From the outset, the agency set out to protect front-line inspection capacity and emergency readiness and remain focused on our core mandate of food safety, animal and plant health, science, and enabling international trade," the department said in a statement on Jan. 29.
“The reductions reflect these principles and focus on targeted changes to program delivery, operational efficiencies, and reinvestments in front-line capacity.”
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says 504 of its members received notices on Jan. 28.
Natural Resources Canada
Approximately 700 employees at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) received letters in December to “inform them that their position will or may be impacted by future changes,” according to a spokesperson.
“In total, NRCan plans to eliminate approximately 400 positions by 2028-29,” Natural Resources Canada said in a statement.
According to the unions, 260 CAPE members, 219 PSAC members and 110 members of PIPSC received notices from Natural Resources Canada. PSAC said another six of its members received a notice on Jan. 29, while 134 PIPSC members received notices this week.
Natural Resources Canada employed 6,044 people as of March 2025.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
According to the unions, 484 of their members at Fisheries and Oceans Canada received workforce adjustment notices.
A total of 261 PSAC members, 172 PIPSC members and 51 CAPE members have received notices.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada employed 14,451 people as of March 2025.
Public Safety Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada says 391 members at Public Safety Canada received workforce adjustment notices.
A total of 1,789 people worked at Public Safety Canada as of March 2025.
Correctional Service of Canada
PSAC said 386 of its members at the Correctional Service of Canada received a workforce adjustment notice on Jan. 28.
Canadian Heritage
More than 330 unionized members at Canadian Heritage received notices the week of Jan. 19 that their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review.
PSAC says 303 of its members received notices at Canadian Heritage, while 29 CAPE members and one member of PIPSC received notices.
A total of 1,910 people worked at Canadian Heritage as of March 2025.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Unions say 248 members received notices from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada their jobs may be cut as part of the comprehensive expenditure review.
A total of 206 PSAC members and 42 PIPSC members received notices.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada employed 11,148 people as of March 2025.
Department of Finance
According to the unions, 133 PIPSC members, 74 PSAC and 8 CAPE members received workforce adjustment notices at the Department of Finance.
A total of 963 people worked at the Department of Finance as of March 2025.
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
The unions say 125 PSAC members and 65 PIPSC members at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat received notices their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review. CAPE said 69 of its members received notices.
As of March 2025, 2,374 people worked at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
Department of Justice
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says 133 of its members at the Department of Justice received workforce adjustment notices.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said on Jan. 30 that 60 members at the Department of Justice received notices on Jan. 29.
The Department of Justice employed 5,608 people as of March 2025.
Privy Council Office
PSAC said 19 employees at the Privy Council Office received notices in December. CAPE said 80 of its members at the Privy Council Office received notices.
As of March 2025, 1,208 people worked at the Privy Council Office.
Library and Archives Canada
PIPSC said that 96 of its members at Library and Archives Canada received notices.
A total of 1,138 people worked at Library and Archives Canada as of March 2025.
Canada Revenue Agency
PIPSC said 77 of its members at the Canada Revenue Agency received notices in December and January.
A total of 52,499 people worked at the Canada Revenue Agency as of March 2025.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
CAPE says 75 of its members at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs received workforce adjustment notices, while two PIPSC members received notices.
PSAC said in December that 186 of its members were informed of potential job losses.
A total of 1,892 people worked at the department as of March 2025.
Public Service Commission
PIPSC said 48 of its members at the Public Service Commission received notices.
As of March 2025, 803 people worked at the Public Service Commission.
Parole Board of Canada
PSAC said on Jan. 30 that 43 of its members received notices at the Parole Board of Canada. One member of CAPE also received a notice.
Other departments where notices have been issued
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency: 41 employees (PSAC and CAPE)
- Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada: 24 employees (PSAC and PIPSC)
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions: 24: (PSAC and PIPSC)
- Canada School of Public Service: 7 (PSAC and CAPE)
- Pacific Economic Development Canada: 2
Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History
The Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum will cut 67 positions over the next three years as part of the federal government’s comprehensive expenditure review and to address its own “structural deficit.”
Spokesperson Avra Gibbs-Lemay confirms to CTV News Ottawa the museums’ permanent workforce will be reduced from 371 to 304 employees.
“The staffing reductions follow a careful review of operations across the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History and reflects more modern and efficient ways of working, while continuing to deliver on the Museums’ national mandate and position the Museums for the future,” Gibbs-Lemay said in a statement on Jan. 26.
“We remain firmly focused on our national mandate, and we will continue to advance research, develop world-class exhibitions and public experiences, and present new and innovative ways for Canadians to engage with their history.”
The federal budget directed the Canadian Museum of History to find $17.7 million in savings over the next four years, along with $5.1 million in ongoing savings.
The Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and Canada Science and Technology Museum will not be required to cut staff.
Transportation Safety Board
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it has not issued any notices to employees, “nor does it plan to issue notices at this time.”
Public Health Agency of Canada
A spokesperson for Health Canada told CTV News Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 26 that “no Public Health Agency of Canada employees have been affected by workforce adjustment as part of the comprehensive review.”
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada reported 47 members received notices at the department. PSAC said 178 members received notices at PHAC over the past year.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada was in a separate Workforce Adjustment process as part of the Agency’s post-pandemic transition,” Health Canada said.
The Public Health Agency of Canada employed 3,372 people as of March 2025.
