The recent announcements of job cuts at Employment and Social Development of Canada (ESDC) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) threaten the public services that workers and families across the country rely on every day.  

On Thursday, ESDC informed workers that 800 term jobs at Service Canada will be eliminated as of June 27. Earlier that same day, CRA announced it will cut nearly 300 jobs, with another 400 workers undergoing a retention process. 

“Throughout the election, the Liberals promised ‘caps, not cuts,’ but each week, hundreds of federal workers are receiving notice that their jobs are being eliminated,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Prime Minister Carney needs to make good on his word and stop slashing the services people depend on – especially without proper analysis or solid evidence to support these decisions.” 

Passports cuts will mean longer wait times 

PSAC and its component unions, the Union of National Employees (UNE), Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU), warn that these cuts will significantly impact Service Canada’s wait times and services. 

“Cutting hundreds of jobs at Service Canada across the country means there won’t be enough staff to provide the passports people need, when they need them,” said Alisha Kang, UNE National President. “These cuts will only result in longer wait times and backlogs – not the ‘government efficiency’ that we were promised by Prime Minister Carney and his new cabinet.” 

“Instead of building a stable and well-trained workforce, the government is fostering uncertainty and chaos,” said Rubina Boucher, CEIU National President. “Workers deserve respect and security, and the public deserves a service they can count on.” 

CRA cuts undermines services to taxpayers and businesses

The latest announcement significantly weakens the CRA’s internal capabilities, particularly in analysis, compliance and operational support services and brings the total to more than 3,000 jobs cut at the CRA in the past six months. 

“These successive cuts hit our members hard, but they also greatly impact the Canadian population and businesses. With every position eliminated, processing delays grow longer, calls go unanswered, files pile up, and citizens are left behind in uncertainty. Those who remain are being pushed beyond their limits — expected to do more with less, while working under mounting stress and growing job insecurity,” said Marc Brière, Union of Taxation Employees (UTE) National President. 

It's time to invest in public services 

PSAC is calling on Prime Minister Carney to stop these job cuts, consult with unions, and develop a plan to strengthen the public service. Reckless cuts without proper consultation and planning will only hurt people in Canada who need to access vital services. 

We will continue to hold the government accountable and fight to ensure the protection of Canada’s safety net.