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Public servants will have until July 24 to apply for an early retirement incentive from the federal government.
Bill Curry reports that Ottawa is counting on buyouts to help meet its target of eliminating 30,000 positions over three years.
The government launched the buyout application portal Friday, one day after the Senate gave its final approval of Bill C-15, the government’s budget bill.
The legislation authorizes the program, which according to the budget, is projected to cost about $1.5-billion and will be funded from a surplus in the Public Service Pension Fund.
In December, letters went out to around 68,000 public servants informing them that they may be eligible for the buyout. A new wave of letters will be sent to eligible employees with instructions on how to apply.
Changes to pension eligibility introduced in 2013 have left what unions criticize as a “two-tier” pension system. The normal retirement age for employees who started after Jan. 1 of that year increased to 65, up from 60, before they can qualify for an unreduced pension.
As a result of that divide, the early retirement incentive has two categories. The buyout applies to qualifying public servants in the first group who are age 50 or above and age 55 or above for the second group.
In other news, the federal NDP leadership race is coming to a close.
Party members have gathered in Winnipeg for the NDP’s 2026 convention, and the winner of the race will be announced on Sunday.
The party had its worst election showing last April 28, losing 17 seats and ending up with seven. Jagmeet Singh lost his B.C. seat and resigned as party leader on election night.
The candidates in the leadership race are Rob Ashton, Tanille Johnston, Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Tony McQuail.
Ottawa is counting on buyouts to help meet its target of eliminating 30,000 positions over three years.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
This is the daily Politics Insider newsletter, curated by Ian Bailey. It is available exclusively to our digital subscribers. You can sign up for more than 20 other newsletters on our signup page.What else is going on
Liberal MP sparks backlash after casting doubt on forced labour of Uyghurs in China: Floor-crossing Liberal MP Michael Ma faced an angry backlash Thursday after he appeared to cast doubt on the existence of forced labour involving the mainly Muslim Uyghur minority in China’s Xinjiang region.
Supreme Court of Canada wraps up four-day hearing on Quebec’s Bill 21: As the hearing ended on Thursday, Chief Justice Richard Wagner said the court would issue its judgment at some point in the future, without providing details.
Ontario man sentenced to 20 years after pleading guilty to terrorism charges: Matthew Althorpe admitted to creating and publishing white supremacist propaganda as an active member of the terror group Atomwaffen Division, and an agreed statement of facts in the case said manifestos he published on Telegram inspired multiple terrorist attacks.
Higher oil prices could drastically reduce Alberta budget shortfall: Trevor Tombe, a University of Calgary economics professor, says there has been a massive turnaround in Alberta’s financial situation attributed to the sudden rise in oil prices, triggered by the war in the Middle East.
Canada nears free-trade deal with Mercosur block, sources say: Canada and South America’s Mercosur bloc are advancing toward a free-trade agreement that could be signed by the end of the year.
Here’s what to know about TSA wait times and more when travelling south: While immigration laws haven’t changed with the addition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at border checkpoints, their presence might come as a surprise to some travelers.
On our radar
Prime Minister’s Day: In Halifax, Mark Carney delivered remarks and participated in a featured conversation held by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He also met with local lobster harvesters and community members in the Nova Scotia village of Pubnico.
Party Leaders: In Scarborough Southwest, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May campaigned with Green candidate Pooja Malhotra ahead of the April 13 by-election.
Ministers on the Road
In Toronto, Indigenous-Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty announced $1.4-billion in funding for urban Indigenous-led health, wellness and community supports.
In Markham, north of Toronto, Energy Minister Tim Hodgson made an announcement.
In Iqaluit, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced federal support for small-craft harbours.
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is in the Cameroon capital of Yaoundé through Sunday for the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.
In Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in France, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with Kaja Kallas, the European Union high representative for foreign affairs and security policy at the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting.
New job for former Montreal mayor: Valérie Plante, who was mayor between 2017 and 2025, says she will be hosting a show on the Quebec TV channel TV5 Québec Canada. The broadcaster confirmed that the Ça brasse en ville series will see Plante visit six foreign cities to explore how urban chaos is organized. The show has its debut in the fall.
Frulla to Destination Canada board: Liza Frulla, a Canadian Heritage minister under former prime minister Paul Martin, has been reappointed chair of the board of directors at Destination Canada – Canada’s national tourism marketing organization – effective Aug. 6. Frulla has been chair since August, 2021 when the organization was called the Canadian Tourism Commission.
Quote of the Day
“Not a single Canadian should ever be put in harm’s way to try and defend Donald Trump’s foolish Iranian war. And I’ll go a step further and I’ll say no American either. No American child from the blue collar or the middle class should have to die in Iran. Let the Epstein class fight the Epstein war.” – Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, today opening the 2026 NDP convention in Winnipeg at which the party will announce its new leader. Kinew said he had written a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney telling him to take action to stop the war in Iran.
Question period
Tommy Douglas was elected the first leader of the NDP in August, 1961. He left the post in April, 1971. David Lewis was the second leader, from 1971 to 1975. Who was the third leader of the party?
Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for the answer.
PerspectivesOttawa hasn’t learned its lesson on immigration
These jarring examples show the immigration department isn’t doing much to enforce the basic rules of the system. The Liberal government needs to do more to ensure that study permits are only issued to genuine students, and not used as backdoor work visas.
— The Globe and Mail Editorial Board
Ottawa’s defence spending plan has ambition, but half of the equation is missing
Mr. Carney is telling us he is embarking on a decade-long program to invest more in defence because it is a critical vocation for government in this century. That requires a long-term plan to transform government. That side of the equation is missing.
— Campbell Clark, Chief Political Writer
Canadian investments in Cuba at risk as Trump muses about invasion
Ottawa cannot ignore Mr. Trump’s threat of taking Cuba by force. Canada is Cuba’s second-largest source of foreign direct investment after the European Union. Further instability on the island threatens to permanently impair Canadian investments there, which span sectors including mining, tourism and energy.
— Rita Trichur, Senior Business Writer and ColumnistGo deeper
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The answer to today’s question: Ed Broadbent was elected party leader in July, 1975 and held the post until December, 1989.