Yesterday’s Speech from the Throne highlighted the need to reduce the cost of living, build more affordable homes, expand food inspection, support national parks, and increase security in our communities and at our borders. It’s clear the government ideally wants to deliver on all of these priorities, but the reality is, it can’t be done without a robust public service. 

In order to make this government’s vision a reality, it must invest in a strong, well-funded public service that will help support Canada through these tough economic times. 

Throughout the federal election, Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals ran on a platform of ’caps, not cuts,’ which was repeated in today’s Speech from the Throne.  

These words ring hollow against a backdrop of ongoing public service cuts.  

The Speech from the Throne comes just 5 days after 1,100 total job cuts were announced at Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Cuts to these departments do not support the government’s supposed commitment to efficiency; they mean longer wait times, backlogs and increased strain on the employees who provide these services to people in Canada.  

This means 1,100 more workers are out of a job while tens of thousands have been forced into the unemployment line due to the impact of U.S. tariffs. 

We have been sounding the alarm since last fall when we began to see staff reductions in the federal public service. For months, we have been urging Treasury Board to initiate a proper analysis and government-wide planning before it continues to cut services in vital departments.  

The government cannot accurately know where to cut or invest without a comprehensive analysis of the services people in Canada need and the most effective way to deliver them. 

During the election, Prime Minister Carney committed to this analysis. Instead of delivering on his promise, there have been more cuts to good, public service jobs without consultation or published research as to the impact they will have on the communities that depend on them.  

Prime Minister Carney and his government need to make good on his word and stop slashing the services people rely on.