Job cuts announced in Carney’s Budget 2025 have started to be realized. Some departments have already issued workforce adjustment (WFA) notices, while others have simply stated that they will be coming soon. The news is full of rumours and speculation and there are many things that still aren’t clear.
Now more than ever, we must come together as a union to protect our rights and demand better for the future. When our employer is making life tough, we have the ability to support, assist, and inform one another. You can also organize to take collective action together.
Going through a WFA process is challenging and emotionally taxing.
There are resources to answer your questions and guide you through this process, including an alternation network for our EC members, to ensure the employer lives up to its responsibilities. Experienced labour relations experts represent you on the joint National WFA Working Group. Your labour relations officers and members of your local executive committees also sit on departmental WFA Consultation Committees. You will be kept apprised as we seek clarity and answers throughout these cycles.
Below you will find information, resources, and how all of us can take action together.
WFA: CAPE’s Alternation Network
As per the National Joint Council Workforce Adjustment Directive, alternation is a mechanism that allows an opting or surplus employee – an indeterminate employee who has received a WFA notice but not a guarantee of a reasonable job offer – who wishes to remain in the core public administration, to exchange positions with an indeterminate employee who is not affected but is willing to leave the core public administration. This can help the opting employee secure a continuing position and avoid an involuntary departure. The employer is responsible for the approval of a proposed alternation.
All departments or agencies are expected to participate in the alternation process. If you hear of a department or agency refusing alternation, contact CAPE labour relations to let them know.
The alternation network and a wealth of resources are at your disposal to assist you with navigating this process, and to maximize opportunities to transition into new positions. There are already 158 CAPE members ready to give up their position to someone who has been affected but who wants to stay.
You can sign up to the CAPE Alternation Network nowPlease note that you must be a registered CAPE member to use the network. Contact membership@acep-cape.caif you are having trouble or need a login.
Job Protection Help Centre
Visit the Job Protection Help Centre for the latest updates and resources, including yourWorkforce Adjustment 2025: Guide for CAPE EC and TR Members and Workforce Adjustment: Frequently Asked Questions.
Early retirement incentive
Budget 2025 included the voluntary Early Retirement Incentive program, which allows for federal public servants who meet the specified criteria to retire early with no penalty.
While all the details have not been announced yet, if you are initially eligible for this program, you will have received a letter from the Government of Canada Pension Centre with information and instructions.
Members can log in to the Pension Portal to calculate their estimated pension using the parameters of the early retirement program. Being eligible at this stage doesn’t guarantee you will be able to retire early, but it is a good time to visit the Pension Portal and ensure your profile is up to date.
You can consult the government’s Proposed Early Retirement Incentive page on the employer’s website for more details about the program. Please note that the program is not yet available, as it is still subject to the passage of relevant legislation.
Get organized!
Whether or not you are impacted by Carney’s irresponsible cuts or not, now is the time to get organized and take collective action. Learn more about what you can do.
To destabilize federal workers is to destabilize Canada’s world-class services and programs – services and programs Canadian officials often tout in pride on the world stage. This will vastly impact all CAPE members, and the lack of transparent and forthright communications with workers to negotiate the terms of our work by our government should sound the alarm for all workers across Canada.
Reach out for more information and tell your fellow ECs
If you have questions regarding the status of your membership or assistance in updating your membership information, please contact membership@acep-cape.ca.
If you have questions regarding your collective agreement, including but not limited to, workforce adjustment, or need assistance dealing with another issue in the workplace, please contact representation@acep-cape.ca.
Please make sure your email includes your full name, contact information, department, region and classification.
Please talk to your EC colleagues and let them know to contact membership@acep-cape.ca if they aren’t receiving these important updates.
