Transport Canada’s deputy minister informed staff Monday that the department is aiming to cut 600 jobs as part of its contribution to a government-wide effort to shrink the size of the federal public service.
Deputy minister Arun Thangaraj and associate deputy minister Brigitte Diogo said about 1,500 employees, including executives, will be receiving letters informing them that their positions may be affected.
The e-mail points out that receiving a letter is the beginning of a process that could take several months and does not necessarily mean the affected person will lose their job.
“Our objective is to minimize involuntary impacts on employees wherever possible by supporting voluntary departures to the greatest extent possible,” the e-mail states.
The reductions at Transport Canada are part of a plan announced in the Nov. 4 federal budget to reduce the size of the public service by about 30,000 people over five years, in addition to a recent cut of about 10,000 jobs.
The Globe and Mail reviewed a copy of the e-mail. Transport Canada did not immediately comment when asked about its contents.
The Globe has reached out to all large federal departments requesting details on their plans for staff savings.
Numerous departments have said they plan on informing affected staff in the coming weeks, but so far only a few have released specific figures in terms of how many job cuts are being targeted and how many individuals will be receiving letters.
Statistics Canada aiming to cut more than 850 jobs, including 12% of executive ranks
Statistics Canada said last week that it is aiming to cut more than 850 jobs – including 12 per cent of its executive ranks.
A spokesperson for Natural Resources Canada told The Globe last week that approximately 700 employees received letters last month informing them that their positions may be affected. The department said it plans to eliminate approximately 400 positions by 2028-29.
Monday’s e-mail to Transport Canada staff provides some additional detail about the department’s plans. They include consolidating regional divisions to reduce duplication, without closing any regional offices.
Other sections of the department will also be consolidated, including moving oversight of major projects like high-speed rail under the department’s programs group.
The functions and assets of the department’s aircraft services will be transferred to the Canadian Coast Guard.
The e-mail also lists several areas where the officials say efficiencies have been found related to internal services.
According to Treasury Board data, Transport Canada had 6,666 employees last year, up from 5,205 in 2015. Eliminating 600 jobs would represent a 9-per-cent reduction from last year’s staffing levels.
With a report from Robert Fife in Ottawa