PSAC is raising serious concerns over ongoing public service cuts, with 1,775 workforce adjustment notices issued to PSAC members across the federal public service this week alone. The latest notices impact departments that provide critical services, including national statistics, IT infrastructure, and economic development. 

“This is part of the federal government’s plan to slash critical public services and cut tens of thousands of public service jobs over the next three years,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president. “When jobs are cut, programs slow down, people wait longer, and communities lose the support they rely on every day.” 

Cuts this week affected PSAC members across the federal public service, including: 

• Public Services and Procurement Canada (730): Manages procurement, real estate, and administrative services. Cuts could delay contracts, maintenance, and procurement of goods and services. 
• Shared Services Canada (530): Delivers IT infrastructure and cybersecurity to federal departments. Cuts could threaten our country’s cybersecurity, and slow digital service delivery and system maintenance. 
• Statistics Canada (350): Provides vital data on the economy, population, and society that support important decision-making. Cuts could delay the release of necessary data or limit the scope of statistics gathered. 
• Treasury Board Secretariat (125): Provides central oversight of government operations and administration. Cuts could affect how programs operate and weaken internal governance. 

Also impacted this week were Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (25), Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (11), and Pacific Economic Development Canada (2). 

These numbers reflect only PSAC members. Other federal workers are also affected, and their respective unions have been notified. With more notices expected in the coming weeks, the federal government has yet to disclose which positions will be cut and how these cuts will impact specific programs and services. 

"The government is cutting first and explaining later,” added DeSousa. “Workers and the people who depend on public services are in the dark. You don’t build a stronger country by gutting the very programs that make up its foundation." 

Impacts on services 

Since January 2025, 4,610 PSAC members have received workforce adjustment notices. This number does not include thousands of term employees whose contracts were ended early or not renewed. 

Government Services Union (GSU), PSAC’s component union, represents 1,260 PSAC-GSU members affected at Public Services and Procurement Canada and Shared Services. 

"These reductions threaten the backbone of government operations,” said Bruce Roy, GSU national president. “When staffing levels are reduced in the services and infrastructure that keep the government running, the impact trickles down to all other federal departments and services. At the same time, there is simply no justification for reducing public service capacity while spending on external contracts continues to expand." 

Union of National Employees (UNE) represents 513 PSAC-UNE members affected across other departments that announced cuts this week, including Statistics Canada. 

"Decisions across the country are driven by trusted statistical data,” said Alex Silas, UNE trustee and PSAC national executive vice-president. “Cutting hundreds of skilled workers puts the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of that data at risk and impacts the governments, communities, and businesses who rely on this information to plan, respond, and make decisions." 

PSAC has developed workforce adjustment resources to help members navigate this difficult process, including FAQs, a member guide, a flow chart, and an informational video. Additionally, PSAC’s alternation platform allows members to volunteer to alternate out, and help affected colleagues keep their jobs. Over 2,100 members have already signed up.