CBC News has verified that numerous federal employees have been notified that their positions may be at risk due to the government’s commitment to reduce the public service, as outlined in the budget released in November. While not all individuals receiving a “workforce adjustment notice” (WFA) will be laid off, most will experience significant changes in their roles.
The decision to downsize the federal workforce by 16,000 full-time equivalent positions over three years was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney in the 2025 spending review. This reduction aims to bring the federal workforce down to 333,000 by 2029, marking a decrease of 40,000 positions from the peak in 2024.
The impact of this downsizing is particularly significant in Ottawa and Gatineau, where nearly half of the core federal workforce is located. The government has not publicly disclosed the specific departments being targeted or the timeline for informing affected employees.
CBC News is actively seeking and confirming information from various departments and public service unions. Notable reductions have been reported in agencies such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Library and Archives Canada, Department of Justice, and many others. The workforce adjustment process is affecting a wide range of government departments and agencies, leading to job cuts and restructuring efforts.
If you have any insights or tips to share regarding these workforce adjustments, you can contribute through the provided Google form at the end of the article. The government’s efforts to streamline the public service are expected to have a significant impact on numerous federal employees across various departments.
The ongoing updates on impacted departments and the number of affected employees highlight the widespread implications of the government’s plan to reshape the federal workforce. The continuous monitoring and reporting by CBC News aim to keep the public informed about these significant changes in the Canadian public service landscape.
