More than 10,000 federal public servants received notices this week their jobs may be risk as part of the federal government’s move to cut 28,000 jobs from the federal public service over the next four years.
At least 12 federal departments notified employees about plans for the comprehensive expenditure review, including to approximately 2,000 employees at Health Canada and 2,300 at Global Affairs Canada receiving notices.
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.
Data provided by unions and federal departments to CTV News Ottawa show workforce adjustment notices were issued to employees this week at Global Affairs, Health Canada, the Canada School of Public Service, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Public Safety and Canadian Heritage.
Last week, approximately 5,400 notices were issued to federal workers.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) said 5,079 members received notices this week, while 2,720 members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and 2,549 members of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees received notices across the public service.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada said the latest notices “affect services that people across Canada rely on every day, from transportation safety to public health.”
“Public services aren’t just a budget line — they’re a lifeline for communities and families,” Sharon DeSousa, PSAC national president, said in a statement. “While the government’s planned cuts may appear to save money, make no mistake, we all pay the price through slower services, longer waits, and weaker programs.”
PSAC says 1,171 of its members at Global Affairs received affected notices this, while the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) said 477 of its members received notices at Global Affairs. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) said on Friday that 746 of its members at Global Affairs received notices.
Global Affairs Canada told CTV News Ottawa on Jan. 14 that the department would 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.
“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.”
The 2025 federal budget directed Global Affairs to find $3 billion in savings over four years and $1.12 billion in ongoing savings, including reducing development funding for global health programming and revamping emergency preparedness.
According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Global Affairs Canada had 7,657 employees as of March 31, 2025, compared to 7,439 employees in March 2024 and 5,973 employees in 2015.
Notices issued
Nearly 2,000 employees at Health Canada were notified the week of Jan. 19 that their jobs may be affected by the comprehensive expenditure review.
PSAC said 897 of its members received notices at the department on Jan. 22, PIPSC said 708 of its members received a workforce adjustment letter and Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) told CTV News Ottawa 331 of its members received notices at Health Canada.
At Environment and Climate Change Canada, 446 PSAC members received a notice on Thursday, PIPSC said 294 of its members received notices their jobs may be affected and CAPE said 294 members received notices.
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.
At Canadian Heritage, 303 members of PSAC, 29 members of CAPE and one PIPSC employee received notices. PSAC said 391 members at Public Safety Canada received notices on Thursday.
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 confirmed the Deputy Minister sent a message to all employees on Tuesday.
“The message notified employees that 1,043 affected letters would be issued and 665 positions eliminated. Affected employees are being notified on January 22,” a department spokesperson said.
PIPSC said 296 members at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada received notices, while 103 members of CAPE received notices.
Here is a look at other departments that received notices this week:
PIPSC
- Transport Canada – 235 members received notices on Jan. 20
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 239 members received notices on Jan. 20
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada – 172 members received notices on Jan. 20
- Employment and Social Development Canada – 339 members received notices on Jan. 22.
PSAC
- Transport Canada: 775 workers
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada: 598 workers
- Public Safety - 391 members received notices on Jan. 22
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada - 261 workers
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - 206 workers
- Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada - 22 workers
- Canada School of Public Service - 10 workers
CAPE
- Employment and Society Development Canada - 534 members received notices
- Transport Canada - 270 members received notices
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 186 members received notices
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada - 51 members received notices
- School of Public Service - 5 members received notices
