A major shakeup is underway at Statistics Canada, with the agency announcing plans to eliminate 850 positions over the next two years. This news has sent shockwaves through the federal public service, leaving workers and unions bracing for more cuts. But here's where it gets controversial: the government's decision to slash jobs has sparked concerns about the impact on critical data collection and services.
The federal public service underwent a comprehensive review in 2025, and Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget committed to reducing the public service by 16,000 jobs by 2028. Now, Statistics Canada is leading the charge, with chief statistician André Loranger confirming that 3,274 "workforce adjustment notices" will be sent to employees whose services may no longer be required.
While not all affected employees will lose their jobs, the agency is cutting 12% of its executive positions and offering early retirement incentives to ease the transition. Unions, however, are worried about the potential impact on data collection and the stress and anxiety these cuts are causing their members.
"It's concerning to see these kinds of cuts," said Sean O'Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). "Statistics Canada's data is crucial to our daily lives, and I worry about how these reductions will affect the quality and availability of that data."
And this is the part most people miss: other departments, including Shared Services Canada and Global Affairs Canada, are also expected to announce their own workforce adjustments soon. With the federal government committed to significant public service reductions, the coming weeks and months will be crucial in understanding the full scope of these changes.
As we continue our coverage, we want to hear from you. Are you a public servant impacted by these job cuts? Share your story and help us understand the human impact of these decisions.
Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this period of change and uncertainty in the federal public service.
