Federal job losses in Sault top 29. So far

When the budget was introduced last spring, job cuts to the federal service sector were expected in an effort to eliminate Canada’s deficit by 2015.

Alleging political gamesmanship behind the debt reduction target date, union representatives are frustrated with the government as they say a firmer idea of how many jobs are going to be lost becomes clearer.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, a union which represents many of the federal employees whose jobs have been slashed, reports 29 jobs lost in the public service sector in Sault Ste. Marie since April.

“Northern Ontario was hit heavily,” said Rejean Amyotte, Northeast representative for the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). “Our public sector employees are starting to feel the cutbacks.”

Reported job losses from PSAC for the Sault since April include 11 with Resources and Skills Development Canada, seven with the Department of National Defence, five with Parks Canada, five with Canada Border Service Agency and one with Natural Resources Canada.

Sault Ste. Marie MP Bryan Hayes wouldn’t comment on the accuracy of PSAC's numbers, saying he needs to verify their credibility with government officials.

Hayes did say the differences between actual vs. affected job losses can cause confusion.

Hayes said affected federal service sector employees received notification of a potential job loss in the next three years as part of their deficit reduction plan and stressed the full scope of job cuts won't be known until the plan is completed.

“We've made a commitment that we need to balance our budget and one of the ways to do so is by reducing expenses,” Hayes said.

PSAC has spoken with economists who say the $21 billion deficit could be eliminated by 2018 without a reduction to public services and Amyotte feels the government's eye towards 2015 is based purely on political ramifications.

“A target has been set by the government to reach timelines by a certain year when an election is scheduled to take place,” he said.

In the Conservative's budget introduced in March, the federal government said 19,200 public service sector positions would be cut over the next three years in an effort to find savings of $5.2 billion.

“It has nothing to do with a potential election year,” said Hayes. “This is the management plan we've chosen to implement given the economic state of the world economy.”

Hayes said different economists project varying outcomes and the government's plan is based on conservatively wading through a fragile economy while strengthening Canada's growth.

“Unfortunately, there are going to be job losses,” he said.

Understanding a job loss in the north has more impact than in Southern Ontario where finding employment is easier - Hayes said these cuts are occurring across the country,

“Everything is being done equitably across Canada,” said Hayes. “Sault Ste. Marie hasn't been more negatively affected than anywhere else.”

Given the job cuts alleged by PSAC, Amoyette said locals can expect longer bridge wait times and a shorter season at parks and beaches.

“We've already seen a reduction in the length of the season,” said Amoyette, pointing to the early closure of Batchawana Bay Park closure on Labour Day weekend, rather than its traditional final weekend in Thanksgiving.

Hayes pledged the government is working to modernize services and best make use of Canadians’ tax dollars.

He pointed to an 18% reduction in expenses by ministerial offices across the federal government over the past two years as proof of those intentions.

“We can't spend ourselves out of debt,” said Hayes. “I'll fight the battle minimize any potential job losses in Sault Ste. Marie.”

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