More than 23,000 federal employees told jobs could be at risk, latest data shows

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More than 23,000 workers at 24 public organizations have received notices since December that their positions could be targeted by cuts, according to a new online tracker on the federal government’s website.

The cuts come during a shrinking of the public service that was announced in the 2026 budget.

The federal government’s data provides details on the number of employees impacted during two different phases: one that ran from Dec. 1-10 of last year, and the second that ran from Jan. 12-30.

As of Jan. 30, the five ministries with the largest number of jobs affected were Global Affairs Canada, Statistics Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada and Transport Canada.

How those 5 departments break down:

Global Affairs Canada

Employees who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 3,295Employee positions being reduced: 483 Executives who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 406Executive positions being reduced: 60Total number of employees as of Mar. 2025: 7,657

Statistics Canada

Employees who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 3,274Employee positions being reduced: 764Executives who received letters of affected or at-risk status: Not disclosed due to privacy.Executive positions being reduced: Not disclosed due to privacy.Total number of employees as of Mar. 2025: 7,582

Employment and Social Development Canada

Employees who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 3,028Employee positions being reduced: 931Executives who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 47Executive positions being reduced: 39Total number of employees as of Mar. 2025: 42,520

Health Canada

Employees who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 2,052Employee positions being reduced: 1,056Executives who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 36Executive positions being reduced: 36Total number of employees as of Mar. 2025: 9,628

Transport Canada

Employees who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 1,520Employee positions being reduced: 439Executives who received letters of affected or at-risk status: 50Executive positions being reduced: 27 Total number of employees as of Mar. 2025: 6,666More than 2,000 Health Canada employees had received letters as of Jan. 30 that their jobs could be at risk, according to the online tracker. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press )Government slashing 40,000 jobs

The government plans to eliminate approximately 40,000 positions, a 10 per cent reduction from the peak size of the civil service in 2023-2024. The Liberals say that should allow them to realize savings of nearly $13 billion over four years.

In the last year, the size of the civil service has already shrunk by 10,000 jobs. 

A comprehensive spending review launched in July identified 16,000 full-time positions to be eliminated, including 650 management roles.

In order to reach its target, the government also plans to rely on early retirements and departures related to the end of funding for certain programs.

Public servants who are affected may be offered several options, including severance pay. Some may also choose to make themselves available for a different public service job.

The data release is in the name of transparency, according to the Treasury Board. It said the information online will stay public during what’s expected to be a years-long exercise in shrinking the civil service.