Canada’s federal public service saw a reduction of more than 23,000 employees over the past two years, according to a recent parliamentary spending watchdog report. The figure covers departures that occurred between 2024 and 2026 and reflects the total number of staffers who left their positions during that period.
The watchdog, which monitors federal government spending, highlighted the staffing decline as a notable element of its latest analysis of government expenditures. The report, produced in Ottawa, placed the loss of personnel alongside other fiscal data to illustrate trends in the public sector’s budgetary management.
The decline was presented without attribution to a single cause, focusing instead on the aggregate impact on the federal workforce. The watchdog’s findings are part of its regular mandate to assess how public funds are allocated and to identify significant changes in the size and composition of the civil service.
By documenting the departure of over 23,000 employees, the watchdog provides a quantitative snapshot of the public service’s recent contraction. The data will be used by policymakers and analysts to gauge the implications of staffing changes on the delivery of government programs and services, as the federal government continues to manage its spending priorities.