Parks Canada begins ‘first period’ of job cuts

A Parks Canada logo is pictured in Banff, Thursday, May 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Parks Canada is entering the “first period of workforce adjustments,” as part of the federal government’s plan to reduce the size of the public service over the next three years.

The department confirmed to CTV News Ottawa that employees who will be impacted by the first phase of the workforce adjustments have been notified.

“Parks Canada has been working to modernize how we deliver our programs, so they bring the greatest value to Canadians,” the department said.

“We are reshaping our service delivery models to ensure Parks Canada’s long-term sustainability and to meet financial targets set by the Government of Canada.”

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Parks Canada says the department will not publicly disclose how many positions will be impacted as part of the workforce adjustments.

“Providing that level of detail could allow individuals to be identified before they’ve had the opportunity to share their own news,” Parks Canada said.

“All employees whose positions are directly impacted by the decisions being implemented at this time have already been informed, and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition. We will continue to leverage attrition and workforce planning, aiming to minimize impacts on employees to the maximum possible extent.”

The Parks Canada 2026-27 departmental plan, Parks Canada plans to reduce spending by $144.9 million over the next three years.

“It is anticipated that these spending reductions will have an impact on team members and positions, however, Parks Canada will prioritize attrition and reassignment,” the plan said.

According to Parks Canada, the department will achieve the spending reductions by focusing on:

• Visitor programming: Parks Canada says it will focus on reducing the frequency or scope of some activities, “targeting reductions in non-core or underperforming programs and sites with low visitation, adjusting service delivery models and focusing resources on highest priorities.”
• Management oversight and internal reductions: “Savings will be achieved by implementing efficiencies in internal services and management oversight,” the department said.

More than 26,000 federal public servants have received notices their jobs could be affected by the government’s comprehensive expenditure review.

The Canada Strong Budget 2025, released in November, outlined the federal government’s plan to reduce the size of the federal public service by 28,000 positions by 2029, with 16,000 full-time equivalent positions eliminated through the comprehensive expenditure review, while 12,000 positions, including 350 executive positions, will be eliminated mainly through attrition and early retirement packages.

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