Published by Senator Percy Downe on 27 January 2012
Did you know?
Between 2009 and 2011, there were 430 federal government jobs lost in Atlantic Canada?
Yet, in stark contrast, there was a 5% increase in federal government employment in Ottawa and a 3% increase Nationwide
(excluding Atlantic Canada).
Why did our Cabinet representatives Ministers Gail Shea and Peter MacKay allow this to happen?
(Statistics provided by Government of Canada, Treasury Board)
Since 2009, Federal Government spending increased by over 13% (Canada’s Performance Report 2008-2009 and 2010-2011), and, with the exception of Atlantic Canada, the size of the federal public service has increased by 3%.
Yet, Atlantic Canada suffered badly over the last three years, with a reduction of federal government employment amounting to 430 jobs; during the same time period, federal government employment was rapidly growing elsewhere in Canada. Now, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that he intends to cut the number of federal government employees.
As these statistics indicate, although Atlantic Canada did not participate in the expansion of federal government employment, it would appear that we shall continue to participate in the cutbacks. Prince Edward Island lost 119 jobs between 2009 and 2011, and this was before the job cuts that are now under consideration.
This disturbing trend leads one to ask: Why were we losing jobs when the Government was on a hiring spree?
It is obvious that Government alone can’t solve the economic problems of Atlantic Canada, and a robust private sector is absolutely essential for any kind of meaningful economic development, however, federal government employment provides a dependable core of stable, good-paying jobs, which are tremendously beneficial, particularly in the smaller economies of Atlantic Canada.
Each one of the jobs lost in the province and transferred to Ottawa means that the employee’s spending power with regard to buying a home, a vehicle and other forms of provincial economic contribution are being spent in Ontario, and not in Prince Edward Island.
Atlantic Canadians want to be treated fairly and deserve the same opportunities as the other regions of Canada, and it is only by having our voices heard now that we may be able to reduce the impact of the impending job cuts.
The federal government must recognize that it is responsible for – and to – the whole of Canada. Fairness dictates that Atlantic Canada should not suffer disproportionately as a result of the upcoming federal cutbacks.
The Government of Canada is making these decisions now and we need our Federal Cabinet Ministers to stand up for our region.
Contact Information :
Minister Gail Shea: Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
E-mail: gail.shea@parl.gc.ca E-mail: stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca