Parks Canada implements workforce adjustments amid union representation

Parks Canada began rolling out job cuts across its national park system this fall, with the Public Service Alliance of Canada representing the employees involved. On October 20, Parks Canada told employees that 2,917 would receive a 'workforce adjustment letter,' which PSAC states represents more than half of the federal agency’s workforce. Parks Canada expects to reduce 'Full Time Equivalents' by approximately 500, with the departmental plan aiming for over 1,200 reductions by 2029.

The job cuts represent a significant reduction in federal employment within the national park system. The Public Service Alliance of Canada has criticized the cuts, stating they impact the people who maintain the parks. The organization noted that predicting the exact number of job losses is difficult due to seasonal work and the nature of the Full Time Equivalent measure.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and another union are currently negotiating with the federal government, following arbitration that resolved previous collective bargaining failures regarding wages for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.