The Privy Council Office (PCO), the central government department serving the Prime Minister, is facing sharp criticism for refusing to reveal how many of its employees have been notified of potential job losses. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the country's largest federal public-sector union, has labeled the department's silence as "hypocritical" and a failure of transparency.
Union Condemns Lack of Transparency
In a statement issued on Friday, December 27, 2025, PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa launched a direct attack on the PCO's opaque handling of the layoff process. "It's concerning and frankly hypocritical that the Privy Council Office refuses to be transparent about the cuts to its own workforce," DeSousa stated. She emphasized that the PCO, as the architect of sweeping austerity policies, has a duty to inform both affected workers and the millions of Canadians who rely on public services about the real-world impacts of these decisions.
The controversy stems from early December, when the PCO became the first federal department to issue "workforce adjustment" letters to employees identified as being at risk of layoff. This action is part of the broader Carney government initiative to reduce the federal public service by approximately 40,000 positions by the 2028-2029 fiscal year.
Department Cites Process, Respect for Employees
Despite repeated requests for specific figures, the PCO has steadfastly declined to provide the number of letters sent to its 1,208 employees. Department spokesperson Pierre Cuguen responded this week, stating, "As the workforce adjustment process is underway, and out of respect for affected employees, we will not comment further at this time." Cuguen added that the PCO is committed to handling the process "compassionately, fairly and in line with Canada’s obligations as an employer," and would utilize measures like alternation and early retirement to minimize actual layoffs.
This stance has done little to assuage the union's concerns. PSAC represents hundreds of workers within the PCO and views the department's secrecy as a troubling precedent. With the majority of federal departments and agencies poised to announce significant layoffs in January, the union fears the PCO's lack of openness signals a government-wide reluctance to share crucial public information.
Public Servants Seek Answers Online
The vacuum of official information has led some public servants to seek answers through informal channels. Reports indicate that an individual recently created a shared online document on a public service forum. This document allows employees to anonymously input data about the number of positions affected by cutbacks within their respective departments, effectively crowd-sourcing information that the government is withholding.
This grassroots effort underscores the deep anxiety and demand for clarity within the federal workforce. The clash between the PCO's stated commitment to a compassionate process and PSAC's demand for immediate transparency highlights the growing tension as the government's cost-cutting plan moves from policy to painful reality. The coming weeks, as more departments announce their plans, will test the government's ability to balance fiscal objectives with its responsibility as a transparent and accountable employer.
