Tag Archives: budget

PSAC statement on federal budget 2024

As Canadians grapple with an affordability crisis, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) welcomes strong support for those most impacted – especially young workers – with major investments in housing, post-secondary education, and a National Food Plan for students.

“We’re pleased to see measures in the budget that will support the important work of more than 34,000 PSAC members working in the post-secondary sector,” said Chris Aylward, PSAC national president. “But as Canadians continue to struggle to make ends meet, we need to put workers and their families first by supporting strong, stable public services when they need them most.”

However, PSAC is concerned about the plan to cut 5,000 federal public service jobs through attrition. When the $15 billion in spending cuts were announced last year, Treasury Board President Anita Anand promised Canadians public service workers wouldn’t be asked to do more with less and that there would be no job losses.

“The public service is only now recovering from the deep cuts of the Harper era, and as our population grows, we need to continue investing in public services to meet the growing needs of Canadians,” said Aylward. “Investing in public services is the best way to avoid long wait times for Canadians at airports and at the border, for passport renewals and employment insurance applications.”

As the pandemic proved, strong public services are critical to see us through difficult times, and Canada needs to continue to build on that investment to be ready for the next crisis. A strong federal public service anchors Canada’s middle class and helps our economy weather the impacts of inflation.

No commitment to equitable retirement

As more than 9,000 Canada Border Services Agency workers take strike votes across the country, PSAC is disappointed that the commitment to provide CBSA law enforcement personnel and firefighters at the Department of National Defence with equitable retirement benefits has gone unfulfilled.

PSAC would also like to have seen more investment to address the ongoing Phoenix pay disaster, strengthening Canada’s Employment Insurance system and stronger tax fairness policies to make large corporations and the wealthiest Canadians pay their fair share.

The original version of this article was first posted on the PSAC website.

Alternative Federal Budget sets roadmap for stronger public services

Read the 2024 Alternative Federal Budget

This year’s AFB focuses on investing in our public health care system, affordable community housing, anti-poverty and food insecurity initiatives, a green transition to combat climate change, stronger labour legislation, and a tax system that ensures the wealthy pay their fair share.

To achieve these goals, AFB 2024 recognizes the federal public service must be well-equipped to meet these ongoing challenges and deliver the services Canadians depend on. These recommendations include:

Adequate funding to rectify pay problems caused by the Phoenix pay system to ensure workers are paid accurately and on time every time;
A full review of staffing levels based on the needs of Canadians;
The creation of an independent consultation body to reduce the government’s reliance on private consultants;
A comprehensive review and amendment of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act that improves the way unions like PSAC negotiate new contracts with the government;
Full funding for settlements of class action lawsuits, including the Black Class Action and the Indigenous Class Action, and more efforts to address oppression and discrimination;
Stronger whistleblowing legislation to protect workers;
Transparency and consultation in the use of AI and other automated decision-making tools;
An ongoing commitment to build a more inclusive federal public service.

The public service recommendations of AFB 2024 are reflective of the recommendations that PSAC made to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons (FINA), in preparation for their pre-budget consultation process.

“Public service workers are on the frontlines of program delivery to people in Canada. Our members see every day what works, and what can be improved,” said PSAC National President Chris Aylward. “We’ve made suggestions to FINA, and through them to the Minister of Finance, for a 2024 budget that will build robust programs and services that will put the needs of people first, creating the resiliency to see Canada through these difficult economic, social, and environmental times.”

By addressing these issues, Canada’s public service can remain a robust and flexible institution capable of serving Canadians effectively now and into the future.

Read the 2024 Alternative Federal Budget

This article was first posted on the PSAC website.

PSAC-CIU raise border automation concerns with government

In its budget yesterday, the Trudeau government made reference to “modernizing travel and trade at our borders”, and spoke of “transforming the border experience” via “touchless and automated interactions”. This announcement raises several red flags and PSAC-CIU have been quick to react.

For years, PSAC-CIU have been vocal about the potential security pitfalls of border processes being centred around technology as opposed to workers and officers. Talks of further automation raise security and labour concerns that cannot be ignored. In 2017, CIU National President Jean-Pierre Fortin stressed that technology is no substitute for seasoned officers, and this remains true to this day. In correspondence with CBSA following yesterday’s announcement, Jean-Pierre Fortin was unequivocal: technology can support officers on the ground but cannot replace them. If the government is serious about border security, it must ensure proper workforce investments to match technological initiatives.

Automated screening can also disproportionately impact marginalized communities who continue to be subjected to racial profiling.

The government’s border announcements also come at a time when the FB bargaining team is waiting for the Public Interest Commission report. In the wake of these statements, PSAC contacted Treasury Board and put the employer on notice. Changes to working conditions of employees during negotiations without union consent is prohibited under federal law.

The union and management are scheduled to meet in May to discuss the announcement further. We’ll keep you appraised of significant developments.

This article has also been posted on the PSAC website.

Business Sector to Government: Increase CBSA Resources

On May 19, 2017, representatives from organizations across the business sector signed a joint letter, titled Investments in Our Borders, calling upon the federal government to increase CBSA funding and resources to deal with problems demanding urgent attention.

The letter, addressed to several federal ministers and signed by twelve major business sector associations, outlined long-standing cross-border trade problems, such as major delays and shutdowns due to the CBSA’s antiquated IT system. The letter also stressed the negative impact of staffing shortfalls which, combined with technical issues, continue to threaten the efficiency of cross-border commerce between Canada and the USA.

Ultimately, the signatories requested that “the Treasury Board of Canada increase CBSA’s budget as soon as possible to fix CBSA IT issues and add the staff required to help facilitate trade at the border,” highlighting that action is “urgently needed” on the government’s part.

Read the full letter here.