NDP calls on Mark Carney to reverse his cuts to the public service

Canada's NDP leader Don Davies issued the following statement:

“Liberal cuts to the public service while Donald Trump threatens our workers and economy and people face a cost-of-living crisis are damaging and wrong. They will mean people losing their jobs, longer waits for passports, parental and EI benefits and less Indigenous services. It means reduced access to CRA assistance, shuttered programs and a government that delivers less for people across the country.

Carney’s cuts will also harm Crown corporations. Core institutions like the CBC and VIA Rail—essential to our democracy and environment—will suffer at a time when they should be strengthened and expanded.

During the election, Mark Carney assured Canadians he would cap the public service. Now he’s cutting it. New Democrats warned Canadians then that his agenda really meant job losses and fewer services. With the PBO estimating a loss of 30,000 federal government jobs - not counting the Liberals' most recent announced cuts - workers and citizens will both suffer.

Taking away jobs and services Canadians rely on is wrong. Cutting people's livelihoods is wrong.

Instead of cuts, Mr. Carney should focus on reducing expensive outside contractors and investing in the development of our public service.

This move is a stark reminder of Stephen Harper's Deficit Reduction Action Plan, which resulted in the elimination of tens of thousands of positions over four years, and left lasting damage to Canadians across our country.

Investing in Canada means investing in our public services, not cutting them. New Democrats urge Mark Carney to reverse his planned cuts.”