The head of the federal public service says the budget commitment to spend less and invest more will result in the loss of 40,000 jobs as programs are reduced or eliminated.
Michael Sabia, clerk of the Privy Council, made the statement in a memo sent to federal employees a day after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government delivered its first budget.
The memo says the government’s promise to cut $60 billion over five years is a “big number” and will have to come with sacrifices.
“That number has real consequences for the people who serve their country and for their families. I’m not going to try to minimize those consequences,” he said. “They are real.”
Sabia explained that to achieve the Carney government’s goals, some programs will be reduced or limited in scope and others will be canceled outright.
“In total, the public service will need around 40,000 fewer people, including some reductions already underway,” he said.
Those job cuts will only occur if the federal budget is approved by Parliament later this month.
The official said that once the cuts begin, decisions will be made quickly to avoid prolonged uncertainty and that those affected by layoffs and early retirements will be supported.
