UCTE and PSAC strongly oppose the Carney government’s cuts that were announced this week — with bigger targets than the Harper-era public service cuts.
Since they postponed it to the fall, we don’t have a budget. Instead, we have announcements of aggressive cuts over the next three years, and a broken promise to “cap, not cut” the public service, as Carney said in his election campaign.
The Liberal election platform promised savings through increased productivity. But anyone who thinks public service workers would be able to continue delivering the same services with these cuts should see this analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
PSAC’s statement yesterday explains what we know so far from a briefing with the federal government:
- “Departments must submit their spending plans by August 28, with no final decisions expected until then.
- The proposed cuts will be phased in: 7.5% for the 2026–27 fiscal year, up to 2.5% in the second year, and up to 5% in 2028–29 for a total of 15% over three years.
- These spending reductions are a continuation of the previous government’s Refocusing Government Spending initiative announced last November but halted when Parliament was prorogued.”
The Carney government should engage with public sector unions including PSAC and its components including UCTE to find savings while protecting public services and public service workers. Follow us to stay informed!
