We are all affected
Impact of federal government cutbacks
Food safety at risk
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will cut $56 million in operating costs by 2014-15 and decrease their workforce by as many as 100 inspectors. 481 members will be affected by these cuts. This decision means a reversal of the inspection measures put in place as a response to the deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2008. Members working at CFIA inspect meat, poultry and produce, monitor and audit the federally regulated inspection programs of the food industry in Canada and enforce federal laws. They also run the offices, maintain equipment and buildings, and carry out the administrative work of the CFIA
- Cuts to food-safety inspection force will impact food quality in Canada: union
- Food watchdog asks who is minding the store
- Food-safety workers among hardest-hit by Harper budget cuts
- CFIA audit finds deficiencies
- PSAC backgrounder: Starved budgets are a threat to food safety.
The government will no longer verify nutrition claims on food labels. Instead, a website will be set up here consumers can take their concerns directly to food producers. This decision to stop policing nutrition claims on food labels threatens Canadians' health and leaves consumers with little recourse when food labels are wrong
Agriculture and Agrifood Canada's budget was reduced by $309.7 million. The public service workers working in this field are front line defenders of public health and guardians of a secure food chain, including meat, poultry and produce inspection. These cuts will impact agriculture and scientific research on the ground.
Search and rescue cut
The government is shutting down several search and rescue sites across the country. They will shut-down of the Marine Rescue Sub Centers in St. John's and Quebec City This Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John's alone watches over an area spanning more than 900,000 square kilometers of ocean and 28,956 kilometers of coastline, and responds to more than 500 distress calls a year. The impact on the marine industry – not to mention the public in general – is far reaching. The government has also announced the closing of the Canadian Coast Guard in BC, affecting 558 members, as well as the closing of the Kitsilano search and rescue station which responds to hundreds of emergency calls a year. The station is located in Canada's largest port which is crowded with recreational and commercial shipping and boating traffic.
- Kitsilano search-and-rescue station a victim of Coast Guard budget cuts
- PSAC members in St. John's hold search party for MP Peter Penashue
- Press conference to save the marine rescue sub-centre
- PSAC statement: A strong economy or life-saving services like Search and Rescue?
- PSAC video says Canadians need both
Cuts to scientific research
A Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg is being closed as part of the massive wave of cuts. This will affect 775 public-sector jobs including 100 PSAC members. The Centre studies wheat, improves the quality of cereal grains, including researching abilities to resist disease and pest insects.
The government has abandoned Canada's leading research program on ecosystems: the Experimental Lakes Area program based in Winnipeg. The world-wide reputation of Canada on scientific research will be affected, as nearly 600 PSAC members received “affected” notices.
- Scientists around globe decry cut to lake-research funding
- Should the government's Experimental Lakes Area be shut down?"
- Environment Canada getting rid of 60 scientists
- Natural Resources Canada eliminating 100 jobs
- Government muzzling Federal Scientists
- PSAC backgrounder: Cuts to federal science and research programs
Transportation safety weakened
The budget of Transport Canada is being cut by 10%. Fewer activities for airport and marine security will mean Canadians won't be able to feel as save as they did in the past when traveling.
- Aviation security inspectors may be on Transport Canada's budget hit list
- Aviation security inspectors may be on Transport Canada's budget hit list
- UCTE Media advisory:First wave of cuts at Transport Canada only the tip of the iceberg
Destruction of fish stocks
The government shuts down research programs to develop disease-resistant salmon in New Brunswick and to study the impact of climate changes on Ontario lakes. This will create threats to the country's environment and its economic competitiveness
Members working at the Department of Fisheries and Ocean deliver programs and services that support sustainable use and development of Canada's waterways and aquatic resources. The recent budget cuts will impact 598 members.
- Report slamming the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Editorial on impact of cuts to fisheries - Prominent researcher slams cuts to Fisheries and Oceans
- Cuts to Fisheries and Oceans mean fewer assessments of fish stocks
- PSAC statement: Conservatives planning to gut protection of fish habitat in Fisheries Act
- PSAC media advisory: DFO tells more than 1,000 workers they could lose their jobs
Funding cuts to the arts
The government has announced $46 million to Canadian Heritage over the next three years, affecting 258 members. This cut will impact funding to arts festivals, heritage programs and cultural institutions undertaking capital projects.
- NFB to cut 61 jobs across Canada
- PSAC fights layoffs at Science and Tech museum
- CBC takes a 10% federal funding cut in Canada's 2012 budget
- PSAC rally at the Museum of Science and Technology
- PSAC statement: Harper government, Cultural Enemy
Date Modified : 2012/07/06
