The Carney government has named its first cabinet – now we have to make ensure protecting public services are at the core of their work. 

Cabinet ministers make decisions every day that impact the public services people in Canada rely on and the workers who provide them. Each minister must ensure that supporting public services is a top commitment if we are to build a strong foundation against tariffs and economic uncertainty. 

This cabinet includes key ministers and Secretaries of State who will have an important role in the delivery of public services, and PSAC will be pushing for these issues to be priorities and will keep members updated on how they will be impacted. 

“This is a pivotal moment for our new government as workers in Canada face a cost-of-living crisis and families grapple with the impact of tariffs on our jobs and economy,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Protecting the public services people rely on has to be at the heart of everything we do, and cabinet has a vital role to play in strengthening our public service and supporting the workers who deliver them.” 

PSAC is calling for: 

• Strong, well-funded public services; 

• Following through in the commitment to equitable retirement for frontline public safety workers; 

• Protecting defined benefit pensions and ending to the two-tier pension system for federal workers; 

• Modern, inclusive and evidence-based remote work policies; 

• Fair compensation for workers who continue to be impacted by the Phoenix pay system; 

• Reforms to fix the broken federal bargaining process under the Federal Public Service Labour Relations Act; 

• Enacting improvements to Canada’s Employment Equity Act and delivering justice for marginalized workers who have endured decades of discrimination. 

The ministerial role of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement could be especially important in ensuring these issues are addressed.  

“We support building an efficient, modern and robust federal public service, but we expect to be consulted and be part of an open dialogue about government transformation,” said DeSousa. “Major changes to the way the government operates will inevitably impact public services and the workers who deliver them.” 

We'll be seeking clarity about Minister Lightbound’s mandate and its impact on the future of Canada’s public service and plans to cap the size of government.  

We are also disappointed that labour issues and workers’ rights haven’t been prioritized as a key portfolio in Prime Minister Carney’s central cabinet. While we look forward to advocating for workers with Secretary of State John Zerucelli, the lack of a voice for labour in a core cabinet position will mean there’s less of a focus on workers and families, especially the most vulnerable and precarious workers. 

PSAC is also concerned about the lack of portfolios to address systemic barriers for many equity groups across the country, including anti-racism, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and persons with disabilities.   

Key cabinet positions with an important role in the delivery of public services include: 

• President of the Treasury Board, Shafqat Ali 

• Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound 

• Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu 

• Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree 

• Minister of National Defence, David J. McGuinty 

• Minister of Women and Gender Equality, Rechie Valdez 

• Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon 

• Secretary of State (Labour), John Zerucelli 

Together, we’ll ensure public service workers are respected, and the services people rely on are protected.