The Canadian government is trying to keep its promises by cutting expenses and it is doing so right now. In Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government committed to reduce the number of Governor in Council appointments as part of its plan to improve efficiency and governance across federal departments and agencies. Money must be saved somehow and the government will be cutting jobs from agencies, boards and commissions. 245 jobs will be lost and according to Treasury Board President Stockwell Day, this should save Ottawa more than $1.2 million. The government wants to save around $6.8 billion over the next five years from the cuts in federal departments.

$1 million is not enough but many employees will be unhappy. The Conservative government wants to show that they are actually meaning seriously what they have promised and can operate without some filled positions. Day wants to send a message that the government is tightening its belt and knows that this step will not be understood by many: "Some people might say, well, $1.2 million, that's not a gigantic amount."

Stockwell Day said Monday that about 90 per cent of those jobs eliminated are governor-in-council positions and were already vacant. Honestly, the government does not need to be filled with unnecessary positions and the cuts were only minor.  There are about 2,700 governor-in-council positions filled by the cabinet so the cuts will not be even 10 per cent.

Minister Day promises that "the reduction of 245 positions from various federal organizations will not affect the delivery of government services in any way.  Rather, it will better address the current workload of these organizations and streamline their efficiency in delivering service to Canadians."

Jana Paskova

Photo: ISIFA