A Canadian flag waves atop the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, February 14, 2025. The Canadian Press
More than half of Canadians want the federal public service reduced in size and cost, according to a new national poll. The survey found 54 per cent support cuts, 24 per cent prefer no change, and only four per cent want it to grow. Seventeen per cent remain unsure.
Government data shows the number of federal employees has grown by nearly 99,000 since 2016. Over that time, personnel costs have jumped more than 70 per cent.
Quality Concerns
Half of Canadians say federal services have declined in quality since 2016. About 24 per cent feel services stayed the same, 11 per cent believe they improved, and 16 per cent are unsure.
Although Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to cap the size of the public service, departments have been asked to find up to 15 per cent in spending cuts by 2028-29. A recent study warned this could mean about 60,000 job losses over the next four years.
Strongest Support in Quebec and Alberta
Support for cuts is highest in Quebec (62 per cent) and Alberta (61 per cent). In B.C., 53 per cent agree, while half of Ontarians back reductions. Younger Canadians are less likely to want cuts, with just over one-third of those aged 18 to 34 supporting them. The figure rises to nearly half among those aged 35 to 54 and 71 per cent for people over 55.
Pollster Andrew Enns said Canadians feel the public service has grown too large without delivering better value. He noted older voters, who helped Carney win, are particularly convinced that cuts are needed.
Push for Action
Franco Terrazzano from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the federal bureaucracy has “ballooned” and costs have become “extremely high” for taxpayers. He argued that bigger government hasn’t meant better service.
“The government has to cut spending and shrink its bloated bureaucracy,” Terrazzano said. He added that the country’s finances are stretched, with rising debt interest costs and a promise from Carney to balance the operating budget.
He urged Carney to “look at these polling numbers” and recognize that Canadians want action.
