More than 24,300 federal public servants warned their jobs could be at risk
Over 24,300 federal employees have received notices warning their roles may be cut, as Ottawa moves to reduce the public service by 28,000 positions by 2029.
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By Torontoer Staff
Over the past two months the federal government has issued more than 24,300 notices telling public servants their jobs may be at risk. The notices have gone to employees across 33 departments as Ottawa implements measures from its Canada Strong Budget 2025 to shrink the public service by 28,000 positions by 2029.
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat published an online tracker showing workforce adjustments in 24 core departments, while unions and departments provided additional figures for other agencies. The numbers include notices to both bargaining unit employees and executives.
How the federal cuts are planned
The Canada Strong Budget 2025 sets a target to remove 28,000 positions from the federal public service by 2029. Officials say 16,000 full-time equivalent positions will be eliminated through the comprehensive expenditure review, affecting roles directly through workforce adjustment. The remaining 12,000 positions, including about 350 executive posts, are expected to be removed mainly through attrition and voluntary early retirement packages.
Departments with the largest number of notices
The Treasury Board tracker lists notices and planned reductions by department. The largest numbers of notices have been issued at Global Affairs, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, among others.
- Global Affairs: 3,295 employee notices and 406 executive notices; planned workforce-adjustment reductions of about 483 employees and 60 executives, with total reductions including attrition of roughly 780 employees and 60 executives.
- Statistics Canada: 3,274 notices; roughly 764 positions to be removed through workforce adjustment and about 887 positions when attrition and early retirement are included.
- Employment and Social Development Canada: 3,028 employee notices and 47 executive notices; the largest combined planned reductions, with over 900 roles targeted through workforce adjustment and more than 5,300 when attrition and early retirements are counted.
- Health Canada: 2,052 notices and 36 executive notices; planned workforce-adjustment reductions of about 1,056 roles, matching the total reductions listed.
- Transport Canada: 1,520 notices and 50 executive notices; about 439 positions expected to be cut through workforce adjustment.
- Shared Services Canada: 1,290 notices and 49 executive notices; around 448 positions listed for workforce adjustment.
- Public Service and Procurement Canada: 1,114 notices and 39 executive notices; about 722 positions targeted through workforce adjustment.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development: 1,102 notices and 32 executive notices; roughly 569 workforce-adjustment roles identified.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: 1,036 notices and seven executive notices; about 500 positions marked for workforce adjustment.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada: 998 notices and 37 executive notices; approximately 565 positions to be reduced through workforce adjustment.
Other agencies and cultural institutions affected
Outside the 24 core departments, unions and departments reported additional notices. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said 587 roles will be cut through workforce adjustment, and several other agencies reported notices to hundreds of employees.
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency: 587 positions to be eliminated through workforce adjustment; unions reported about 504 employees received notices in late January.
- Correctional Services Canada: unions reported about 386 members received notices.
- National Research Council: unions reported 134 members received notices on Jan. 28.
- Department of Justice: unions reported about 60 and 40 members respectively received notices.
- Canadian Museum of History and Canadian War Museum: combined reduction of 67 positions over three years, reducing the permanent workforce from 371 to 304 employees.
The staffing reductions follow a careful review of operations across the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History and reflects more modern and efficient ways of working, while continuing to deliver on the Museums’ national mandate and position the Museums for the future.
Avra Gibbs-Lemay, museum spokesperson
What a notice means and what comes next
A notice indicates an employee’s position is at risk under the workforce-adjustment process. It does not automatically mean immediate termination. Departments are expected to follow collective agreement obligations and consult with bargaining agents. Some roles will be removed through attrition or voluntary early retirement, which reduces the number of required layoffs.
The Treasury Board tracker separates planned reductions arising from workforce adjustment from those expected through attrition and early retirement, but the secretariat says many numbers still need confirmation at the departmental level. Unions are tracking notices and advising members on next steps.
What to watch and where to find updates
Expect departments to publish more detailed figures as workforce-adjustment processes move forward. The Treasury Board online tracker will be the central source for updates on the 24 core departments, while unions and individual departments provide supplementary information for other agencies.
For employees, key developments to monitor include timelines for consultation, availability of voluntary departure packages, and any redeployment opportunities. For the public, follow-ups will focus on whether reductions affect service delivery in specific programs.
The federal plan extends to 2029. Over that period the government intends to complete workforce adjustments, manage attrition, and implement early retirement options to meet the 28,000 position target.
federal governmentpublic servicejobsworkforce reductionsTreasury Board
