Less than a week before revealing the upcoming federal budget, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne emphasized the need for a more sustainable public service. The Minister made this statement following the announcement of funding for women and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, which will be part of the budget to be presented next week.
During a subsequent news conference, Champagne addressed inquiries regarding the federal service’s size. He reiterated the necessity for tough decision-making in the expenditure review process, acknowledging the challenges involved.
The Minister mentioned the possibility of “workforce adjustments” as part of the government’s efforts to enhance operational efficiencies by streamlining programs across departments and leveraging advanced technology.
When asked if attrition alone could meet the government’s spending reduction goals, Champagne highlighted the current unsustainability of the civil service’s size in comparison to pre-COVID levels. He stressed the importance of returning to a more sustainable level.
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat reported that the number of federal government employees was 287,983 in 2019, exceeding 300,000 in 2020, and reaching 367,772 last year. Champagne assured a compassionate approach in the process of addressing these issues.