Does the government's plan to cut departmental spending go far enough?
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Over the past week, pundits and pollsters have continued to wade into the debate about whether and how the public service should be shrunk, as the federal government looks to cut departmental budgets by up to 15 per cent over three years.
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Along with that news, here are four public service stories from the past week we've been following so you don't have to.
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The government's spending review does not go far enough in its scope, according to a new analysis by C.D. Howe Institute fellow John Lester, who previously served as an economist in the federal government.
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In the analysis, Lester took aim at the exclusion of 'large swaths of program spending through exemptions and carveouts,' which he said will limit the potential savings to an estimated $22 billion in 2028/29, which falls short of the targets set by Carney.
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In contrast, Lester argued the spending review should aim to save $50 billion in order to put 'federal finances on a fair and prudent path.'
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Lester said the narrow scope of the review imposes cuts across departments equally. The approach will make it 'impossible to eliminate or restructure the programs performing poorest overall,' according to Lester.
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A poll released by market-research firm Léger suggests the majority of Canadians want to see the size of the federal public service reduced.
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The survey revealed that 54 per cent of respondents believed the size and cost of the public service should be reduced. Twenty-four per cent said that the size of the public service should be maintained, while 4 per cent said it should increase and 17 per cent were unsure.
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Globe and Mail
15 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Pierre Poilievre accuses Mark Carney of weakness in dealing with Donald Trump, China
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CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
Parliament should have discussed recognition of Palestine, open letter says
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Calgary Herald
an hour ago
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Calgary climate protestors call carbon capture 'pipe dream'
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