BY SIMONE J. SMITH

You, yes you, are amongst a montage of people who interact with various public services. It is the parent enrolling their child in school, a senior citizen receiving a pension check, a small business owner consulting with a government advisor.

In the heart of our communities, a powerful force works tirelessly, ensuring the smooth functioning of our society. These are the public servants, the dedicated individuals who form the backbone of Canada. From the classrooms where young minds are nurtured to the hospitals that heal the sick, public servants are the lifeblood of our communities. They provide essential services that enrich our lives and strengthen the fabric of our society.

Recent reports suggest that many public service roles are at risk of becoming obsolete. This trend, if left unchecked, could have devastating consequences for our communities.

I received an email from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, one of Canada’s largest unions, that represents nearly 230,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada, including more than 180,000 federal public service workers. The email was to raise serious concerns about the federal government’s plans to reduce government spending by cutting public service jobs delivering critical services to regular people.

It was reported that without prior consultation, the government unilaterally announced their plans to cut costs across the federal public service during a briefing with unions on the Refocusing Government Spending Initiative on  November 7^th, 2024.

“We’ve seen this horror movie before –– and it always ends badly for families across the country,” said Sharon DeSousa, PSAC National President. “Make no mistake ––– everyday people always pay the price when public services are cut.”

The 2023 budget outlined $15 billion in cuts to programs and services over the next four years, with another $3 billion in spending reductions announced in last year’s Fall Economic Statement.

“The last time we saw blanket public service cuts under the Harper government, there were grave impacts to the services Canada depends on – from food inspection to border security and employment insurance,” said President DeSousa. “With so many families struggling today, this is not the time to claw back critical programs and cut jobs.”

President DeSousa does have a valid point; as technology advances and societal needs evolve, the role of public servants is more critical than ever. They are the ones who bridge the digital divide, ensuring that everyone has access to essential services. They are the ones who protect our vulnerable populations and advocate for social justice.

When the cuts were first announced in 2022, Mona Fortier, Treasury Board President at the time, said the government would find six billion in savings by increasing remote work and selling off real estate.

Last year, Treasury Board President Anita Anand promised workers wouldn’t be asked to do more with less and that there would be no job losses.  Then we heard that 5,000 jobs would be reduced through natural attrition.

Now, there is a very different story. Reportedly, the government is now widening the net, looking to cut term and casual employees, and opening the door for departments to slash permanent employees through Workforce Adjustment.

Federal departments have been assigned specific budget reduction targets in salary line items. PSAC is insisting that unions must be consulted while these targets are reviewed. These targets, protected under Cabinet privilege, will remain confidential until they are made public in June 2025.

“Workers and families are waiting in limbo. People who benefit from critical programs won’t know if the services they depend on will be cut.” said President DeSousa. “Public service workers won’t know if they’ll have jobs by next summer – if they can renew their mortgage, start a family, or pay their student loans.”

“You can’t have it both ways. You can’t find billions in cuts without slashing the important services people depend on. PSAC will be fighting back against these public service cuts and protecting workers caught in the crossfire.”

Support Public Service. Support Our Communities. Our hope stands in the community. Utilize this knowledge to start advocating for yourselves, for your families, for your home.

REFERENCES:

https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/planned-government-spending/refocusing-government-spending.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/services/pay-pension/pay-administration/pay-centre-resources/pay-process-roles-responsibilities/managing-work-force-adjustment.html

BY ADRIAN REECE

Justin Trudeau is instituting a new tax break to end off 2024. He is temporarily eliminating GST/HST on certain goods. At face value, this sounds like a boom to the economy and the cost of living that many Canadians are struggling under and have been for the past four years. Some politicians particularly Pierre Poilievre who disagrees with this tax break, which is met with disdain from the citizenry, especially since his political position is to “axe the tax.”

At face value, eliminating taxes on goods is a positive thing for most people. However, long-term effects need to be taken into consideration. The issue here lies in the production of goods. Eliminating taxes, but not producing more goods will ultimately drive up the cost of goods down the line. Causing an even bigger problem.

Taxes should be used to create a surplus of what we need. We must purchase more bread, vegetables, and foods to live healthier and more satisfying lives. However, this tax “break” isn’t looking to produce more goods, but instead make goods scarcer, driving up the cost of what’s left, making it considerably more difficult for Canadians to afford to eat and live. The dollar can only stretch so far, and it has been slowly running out of purchasing power over the last few years.

We are one year away from the next federal election, and previously our prime minister hasn’t instituted anything that would necessarily help citizens. This, like everything else at face value, appears to help Canadians significantly get on their feet; however, when examining the long-term effects of what is being put into place, the results are more daunting than they first appear.

By driving up the cost of food again we will shortly begin to see another setback Canadians must navigate. There have been too many things instituted by the Trudeau government that have negatively impacted Canadians.

In preparation for the tax break beginning December 14^th, 2024, and ending February 15^th, 2025, grocery stores have begun to raise their prices. This is a tactic to recover potential lost profits that they are predicting they will lose in the tax break. With the raising of prices, it also looks like a more embedded tax structure, where taxes are mixed in with the price. This is a structure that some countries in the East use, which psychologically makes their citizens feel much better about their purchasing power.

Poilievre has publicly stated how this initiative hurts Canadians, and he wants us to focus on creating and producing more in order to really bring taxes down. Loosely considering his position, he wants to create more homes produce more goods and have more stock for Canadians to purchase. With more goods comes lower prices, with more homes comes lower housing prices, with more stock comes more ability for your dollar to make an impact and fill up your home with what you need.

Things at face value are not always what they appear to be. While this appears to be helpful, long term Canadians should prepare for another raise in their grocery bills, so they will be getting less for more with the same wages they have been earning.

It is time for a new government. Canadians are suffering under the current administration and it is time for a change. We are less than a year away from our opportunity to make that change.

BY PAUL JUNOR

Michelle Joseph is on a mission to inspire and empower through the art of storytelling, motivational dialogue, and impactful words. As a blogger, podcaster, author, world traveler, foodie, and writer, Joseph recently launched her debut book, Words with Michelle: Inspirational Conversations with Today’s Black Canadian Changemakers. The book was unveiled at Word on the Street in Toronto on September 28^th and 29^th.

Joseph’s website, wordswithmichelle.com, captures the essence of her work. Describing herself as a “blogger and podcaster passionate about meeting new people and sharing their stories,” she goes on to explain the inspiration behind the book. “This book was born from the powerful conversations I’ve had over the years with contemporary Black Canadian changemakers. These transformative discussions span a decade of insights and experiences.”

In her book, Joseph profiles a range of influential Black Canadians who have made significant contributions to society. Through her podcast, she has hosted a diverse group of guests, discussing everything from navigating natural hair in the workplace to the impact of social media. “Through these conversations, I’ve come to understand that every changemaker has had a defining moment in their life that sparked transformation,” she says. “Their stories and lessons have deeply influenced my own journey. In the book, I share not only the successes but also the lessons I learned from my own missteps—hoping that they can guide you in your own pursuit of passion and purpose.”

Some of the remarkable changemakers featured in Words with Michelle include:

• Tracy Moore
• Celina Caesar-Chavannes
• Jonathan Shaw
• Ebonnie Rowe
• Brandon Hay
• Andrew Trey
• Jam Gamble
• Kofi Frempong
• Andrea Lewis
• JD Vishus
• Dwayne Morgan
• Mugabi Byenkya

Michelle Joseph has hosted several book signings in celebration of the release including:

• October 4^that Indigo in Ajax
• November 2^ndat Different Booklist in Toronto
• November 30^that the Toronto Holiday Market, located at 2 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive.

With Words with Michelle, Joseph is inviting readers into a world of stories that are sure to inspire, challenge, and motivate anyone seeking to make a positive impact in their own life or community.