Less than a week ahead of revealing the upcoming federal budget, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized the need for a more sustainable size of the public service. This statement came following his announcement of funding for women and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, set to be included in the budget to be presented next week.
During a subsequent news conference, the minister addressed inquiries about the federal service’s future size, highlighting the necessity to make tough decisions in the expenditure review process. Champagne mentioned the possibility of “workforce adjustments” as part of the government’s efforts to streamline processes, consolidate programs across departments, and leverage enhanced technology.
When asked if natural attrition would suffice to meet the government’s spending reduction objectives, Champagne reiterated that the current scale of the civil service is unsustainable. He pointed out the importance of returning to a more sustainable level compared to the pre-COVID-19 era, emphasizing a need for change.
According to data from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the number of federal government employees increased from 287,983 in 2019 to over 300,000 in 2020, reaching 367,772 last year. The minister assured a compassionate approach to any necessary adjustments in the workforce.
Various reports have indicated potential impacts on the National Capital Region and the Public Health Agency of Canada due to anticipated public service cuts. Nonetheless, Champagne stressed the government’s commitment to managing these changes with empathy and care.