FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 9, 2026
Union Raises Alarm Over Transport Canada Cuts: Secrecy and Reorganization Putting Public Safety at Risk
Ottawa, ON — The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) is sounding the alarm on proposed cuts and structural changes at Transport Canada, warning that the Department’s approach is undermining both employee well-being and public safety.
Without proper transparency or sequencing, these decisions are being implemented in a way that disregards due process and places Canadians at increased risk, particularly in areas overseeing the transportation of dangerous goods.
“We’re not trying to cause panic,” said Teresa Eschuk, National President of UCTE. “But when oversight roles are cut and those responsible for compliance are stretched beyond their limits, the consequences can be catastrophic. Canadians remember Lac-Mégantic. Our members work every day to prevent that kind of tragedy — they need support, not secrecy.”
The union is particularly concerned about proposed staffing reductions within Inspection services and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Directorate and their support teams. Years of under-resourcing have already left inspectors stretched thin. Further administrative cuts will only push workloads higher, limiting their capacity to carry out safety-critical work.
Transparency Lacking, Accountability Evaded
UCTE has repeatedly called on Transport Canada to provide meaningful disclosure about the scope and rationale for its cuts — but has received little more than vague justifications and silence.
“Waldo is easier to find these days than the Deputy Minister,” said Eschuk. “The Department has withheld basic information from unions under the excuse of ‘parliamentary privilege.’ That’s not transparency — it’s misdirection.”
Reorganization Adds to Instability
Compounding the issue, Transport Canada is also undertaking a structural reorganization, reducing its five administrative regions to three. This reorg is being imposed while employees are still navigating workforce adjustment processes with no clear sequencing and little communication about the implications for reporting lines or regional operations.
“How can someone make a decision about their future when the structure of the Department is still in flux?” said Eschuk. “This is exactly the kind of pressure that erodes trust and harms mental health.”
UCTE Calls for Action
UCTE is calling for the immediate reversal of all proposed cuts affecting inspection and the oversight of dangerous goods that could affect communities and the travelling public. The union also demands a pause on further reorganization until transparency, consultation, and proper sequencing can be ensured.
“This isn’t just about jobs — it’s about the health of our members and the safety of Canadians,” said Eschuk. “Transport Canada has a duty of care. It’s time they start acting like it.”
Media Contact:
Kevin Matthews, Communications Officer
Phone: (613) 850-8764
Email: matthek@psac-afpc.com
