The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) congratulates Hon. Shafqat Ali on his appointment as the Treasury Board president and looks forward to a productive relationship that will ensure the federal public service is equipped, empowered, and supported to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Minister Ali is stepping into a role at a delicate moment where repairing the relationship between workers and management in the federal public service is urgently needed. Trust between the federal government and unions has been significantly eroded due to a pattern of inadequate consultation, broken commitments, and performative engagement.
The rollout of the return-to-office directive, developed and implemented without genuine dialogue, exemplifies this breach of good faith. Promises made at the bargaining table have too often been reversed unilaterally, undermining both morale and credibility. Arbitrary austerity measures disconnected from program commitments have also completely undermined morale in the public service, as federal workers have watched their jobs get cut while outside contracting budgets balloon.
“We recognize these tests ahead but stand ready to work constructively with Minister Ali to rebuild dialogue, restore confidence, and move forward on shared priorities,” said CAPE President Nathan Prier. “This new government has an opportunity to turn the page on these mistakes and work with unions to ensure we have a federal workforce that attracts and retains the best and brightest so we can tackle the multitude of challenges we face as a country together.”
With collective agreements for CAPE and other major public sector unions expiring next year, Minister Ali faces an imminent test to his leadership and a chance to rebuild and solidify a strong working relationship with federal unions and their members.
