January 6, 2024 – A recent report from the Public Service Commission of Canada has unveiled unsettling statistics about the federal public service, pointing towards a record-high size and growing concerns over increased spending, a surge in external consultants, a rise in non-advertised positions, and other staffing irregularities.
The report indicates that the federal public service ballooned to 274,219 employees by the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year, marking a 6.5% increase (16 642 employees) from the previous year and a staggering 40.4% surge since the Liberal government’s inception in 2015.
“We have 40% more people in government, am I getting 40% faster service?” was the question asked by Aaron Wudrick from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute upon release of the report.
The cost of the increase in size, the transparency of the hires, and the mounting investigations and staffing irregularities seem to be the main concerns that have been brought to life from this report.
Cost of the Increase
The rising number of public servants comes with a hefty price tag, evident in the 30.9% surge in personnel expenditures in 2021-22 compared to two years prior. The Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer highlighted concerns over the government’s reliance on external consulting firms, with spending skyrocketing by 14.7% annually, reaching $17.5 billion in 2021-22.
Consultants and Non-Advertised Positions
This spending spree contradicts the government’s commitment to reducing the use of outside consultants, a promise made by Treasury Board President Anita Anand as part of a $15.4-billion spending cut initiative over five years.
What’s also raising eyebrows is the sharp spike in non-advertised hiring, accounting for 58.1% of all external hires and internal promotions during the same period. This represents a drastic shift from the 21.7% reported in the 2014-15 fiscal year, signaling a significant deviation from promised transparency in hiring processes. In raw numbers, the government hired 71,200 external employees during the 2022-23 fiscal year which is a 9.9% increase from last year.
Staffing Irregularities
The report also reveals troubling trends in staffing irregularities, investigations, and resignations. Last year saw a 24% increase in resignations, reaching 5,089, which is almost double the amount of resignation seen in 2014-2015.
This fiscal year, 173 investigation files were completed, a 188% increase over the previous year. The investigations range from fraud over things like academic credentials, improper conduct, and even problematic political activities. The Public Service Commission (PSC) regularly posts summaries of some of its investigations on this Web site.
Veteran Hiring Decreasing
The government’s focus on hiring through non-advertised processes is sparking criticism, especially when compared to the dwindling number of medically released veterans appointed to public service roles. Under the ‘priority entitlements program’ that was started in mid-2015, people with priority entitlements are appointed ahead of others to vacant positions – this includes medically released Canadian Armed Forces veterans and medically discharged members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 2022-23, only 110 veterans were appointed, down 28% from the previous year and continuing a five-year decline.
Conclusion
The Public Service Commission of Canada’s report paints a concerning picture of the federal public service’s unprecedented growth, surging costs, and deviations from promised transparency in hiring practices. The significant increase in personnel expenditures, reliance on external consultants despite pledges to reduce such usage, and a spike in non-advertised positions have raised questions about the government’s fiscal responsibility and commitment to efficient service delivery. The rising number of resignations and investigations further highlight challenges in maintaining ethical standards. As the government navigates higher interest rates and deficits, citizens await to see if the administration will address these concerns and steer towards a more sustainable and accountable course or persist in its current trajectory.
