Hundreds of public servants have already received layoff notices in Ottawa and across Canada, as the federal government begins to issue notices of potential job cuts.
The Canada Strong Budget 2025 outlined a plan to cut another 28,000 positions from the federal public service over the next four years and find $60 billion in savings.
Global Affairs Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Shared Services Canada and Statistics Canada began notifying employees that their jobs may be impacted by workforce adjustments. Natural Resources Canada issued letters to 700 employees in December that their positions “will or may be impacted.”
Data provided the federal unions to CTV News Ottawa show 5,404 federal workers received notices the week of Jan. 11 to 17 that their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review, including 3,300 at Statistics Canada, 1,200 at Shared Services Canada and 736 notices at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at which departments have notified public servants about possible job cuts.
Health Canada
More than 1,000 employees at Health Canada have been notified their jobs may be affected as federal departments continues to issue notices about possible layoffs in the public service.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) says over 700 of its members received a workforce adjustment letter from the health department this week. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) told CTV News Ottawa 331 of its members received notices at Health Canada.
PSAC said on Friday that 895 of its members received a notice at Health Canada.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada notified more than 1,000 employees on Thursday that their jobs may be cut, as the department looks to eliminate 665 positions. The department says the Deputy Minister sent a message to all employees on Tuesday.
“The message notified employees that 1043 affected letters would be issued and 665 positions eliminated. Affected employees are being notified on January 22,“ a department spokesperson said.
“As outlined in the message, details will be shared with employees first, in keeping with the Department’s obligations and out of respect for its personnel. As such, we do not have any additional information to share at this time.”
PIPSC said 296 of its members received notices on Jan. 22.
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said 178 of its members at the Public Health Agency of Canada received notices their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
CAPE said on Jan. 22 that 294 of its members at Environment and Climate Change have received notices about possible layoffs. PIPSC said 248 of its members received notices on Jan. 22.
According to PSAC, 446 of its members received notices on Friday.
A spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada said approximately 1,000 executives and non-executives will receive notices.
“ECCC’s workforce will be reduced by approximately 840 full-time equivalent positions, including just under 40 executive roles,” a spokesperson told CTV News Ottawa on Friday.
Transport Canada
CAPE says 270 of its members have received layoff notices at Transport Canada. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says 775 of its members received notices at the department.
PIPSC said 235 of its members received notices this week.
Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of History
Two national museums in the Ottawa-Gatineau area will be eliminating positions as part of the federal government’s comprehensive expenditure review.
Officials with the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History confirm there will be staffing reductions “resulting from the government of Canada’s comprehensive expenditure review program and its own structural deficit.”
“Our priority now is the employees who will be affected. We will only be sharing information more publicly once internal announcements are complete,” said a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada notified employees on Jan. 15 that approximately 1,100 indeterminate employees would receive notices that their positions may be impacted by the comprehensive expenditure review.
The department plans to cut 45 executive and 569 non-executive positions over the next three years.
PSAC said 598 of its members at ISEC received notices, while PIPSC said 239 members received notices this week.
Employment and Social Development Canada
A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada said a “workforce adjustment process and a reduction in our executive complement” will begin this month “to achieve our targets by the end of 2028-29.”
“We cannot confirm how many positions will be reduced at this time,” the spokesperson said.
“However, ESDC will continue to leverage attrition and workforce planning, aiming to minimize impacts on employees to the maximum possible extent. The goal of the process, wherever possible, will be to ensure continued employment for those who want to remain in the public service.”
PSAC said on Jan. 22 that 250 of its members received notices at Employment and Social Development Canada. PIPSC said 339 members received notices on Jan. 22.
Global Affairs Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada says 1,171 of its members at Global Affairs received notices on Jan. 22. PIPSC said 477 of its members received notices on Jan. 22.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will issue notices to employees who may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review between Jan. 12 and 31, according to a spokesperson.
“GAC is not in a position to provide an estimate number of notification letters being sent as decisions are being finalized,” a spokesperson said in an email Wednesday afternoon.
“However, like most departments, GAC will be sending affected letters to significantly more employees than the target number of positions to be eliminated. This is to allow more employees to take advantage of voluntary departure programs, and reduce the number of involuntary departures.”
Canadian Heritage
PSAC says 303 of its members at Canadian Heritage received a notice on Jan. 22 that their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review.
PIPSC said one of its members received a notice.
Canadian Heritage has not said how many positions will be eliminated at the department.
Natural Resources Canada
Approximately 700 employees at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) received letters in December to “inform them that their position will or may be impacted by future changes,” according to a spokesperson.
“In total, NRCan plans to eliminate approximately 400 positions by 2028-29,” Natural Resources Canada said in a statement.
Public Services and Procurement Canada
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) said employees will be notified on Wednesday and Thursday about potential job cuts.
“Yesterday, all Public Services and Procurement Canada employees received a message from the Deputies informing them that those with positions that are affected will receive a formal notice on January 14 and January 15, 2026,” a spokesperson for PSPC said.
“Out of respect for our employees, as this process is underway, we will not comment further.”
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said 730 members received notices at PSPC. CAPE says 139 of its members at PSPC received layoff notices.
Shared Services Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says 737 members at Shared Services Canada received notices the week of Jan. 12 about workforce adjustment. Most of the employees were IT professionals, according to PIPSC. PSAC said 530 of its members received notices at Shared Services Canada.
The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) said 23 members at Shared Services received a notice.
A spokesperson for Shared Services Canada said on Tuesday that, “We are in the process of notifying employees and executives that their position is affected and may no longer be required.”
Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada confirmed on Monday that it will cut 850 positions over the next two years, including 100 positions eliminated immediately this week.
An internal memo obtained by CTV News says the first 100 employees will be informed this week that their jobs are considered “surplus.” The remaining 750 job reductions will come from a pool of approximately 3,200 employees, who will be told over the next two weeks that their positions are “affected” and could no longer be needed.
CAPE said 1,906 members received notices saying their jobs may be affected at StatsCan, while PSAC said 350 members received notices.
PIPSC said approximately 900 members at StatsCan received a notice.
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat said on Jan. 15 that it is notifying employees who may be affected by job cuts.
“While TBS is committed to managing workforce reductions through attrition and voluntary departures to the greatest extent possible, some Work Force Adjustment and Career Transition processes will be required,” a spokesperson said.
“TBS is in the process of informing employees whose positions are affected by the reductions and subject to Work Force Adjustment (non-executives) and Career Transition (executives) measures. Affected employees will be informed directly and will continue to be provided with the necessary support and information throughout the process.”
The department did not say how many employees will be notified and how many jobs will be eliminated through the comprehensive expenditure review.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service said 17 of its members at Treasury Board received notices their jobs may be affected by job cuts. PSAC said 129 of its members received notices during the second week of January.
Public Safety Canada
Public Safety Canada confirmed to CTV News Ottawa it will be “implementing reductions as part of the implementation of the comprehensive expenditure review.”
“The department is committed to minimizing involuntary departures and will use every available option to support employees. This includes launching a departmental voluntary departure program for affected staff and sharing job opportunities internally,” Public Safety Canada said in a statement.
Officials would not say how many employees have received notices or how many jobs will be eliminated.
PSAC said 391 of its members received notices at Public Safety Canada.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says 94 employees received notices in December that their positions may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review. CAPE said 75 members at the department also received notices. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada said 2 of its members received notices.
Department of Finance
PSAC said 74 members received notices in December that their positions may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review. CAPE said eight members have received notices saying their jobs may be affected.
Department of Justice
CAPE told CTV News Ottawa on Thursday, Jan. 15, that term positions will be cut at the Department of Justice.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
PIPSC said 38 of its members at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada have been impacted by workforce adjustments since January 2025. PSAC said 1,222 of its members at IRCC received notices.
The department would not comment on whether notices have been issued in 2026.
“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada does not have any comments to share at this time, and our employees will be informed first before any public communication,” the department said in a statement on Jan. 15.
Privy Council Office
PSAC said 19 employees at the Privy Council Office received notices in December. CAPE said 80 of its members at the Privy Council Office received notices.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
“On December 8, 2025, Fisheries and Oceans Canada employees were notified in a message to all staff that the Department will move ahead with the implementation of Comprehensive Expenditure Review decisions in mid-January 2026,” a spokesperson told CTV News Ottawa in December.
PSAC said 261 of its members at Fisheries and Oceans Canada received notices. PIPSC said 172 of its members received notices on Jan. 20.
Other Departments
CTV News Ottawa has learned notices have been issued to employees at Pacific Economic Development Canada, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Canadian School of Public Service and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Parliamentary Budget Officer
The Parliamentary Budget Officer released a report last week saying 1,927 full-time equivalent positions will be eliminated at five departments over the next four years, with the report focusing on Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Correctional Service of Canada, Canada Food Inspection Agency, Canada Economic Development for the Quebec Regions and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Early retirement notices
Approximately 68,000 federal public servants received early-retirement notices in early December.
“As proposed in Budget 2025, workforce reductions will be managed to the greatest extent possible through attrition and voluntary departures,” a spokesperson for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali said. “The Early Retirement Initiative is proceeding with an emphasis on voluntary, structured options to retire early with clarity and predictability.”
The letter said further details about the program’s requirements and timelines will be released at a later date.
