Union warns job cuts at Transport Canada place ‘Canadians at increased risk’

Federal government office buildings are seen in this undated photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

The union representing workers at Transport Canada is warning proposed job cuts at Transport Canada will place “Canadians at increased risk,” especially in areas overseeing the “transportation of dangerous goods.”

According to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 439 employees and 27 executive positions will be cut at Transport Canada as part of the comprehensive expenditure review. The department says 1,520 public servants and 50 executives have received notices warning their jobs may be affected.

• Latest information on federal public service, including notices, job cuts, return to office rules and more

The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees (UCTE) says the department’s proposed cuts and structural changes are “undermining both employee well-being and public safety.”

“We’re not trying to cause panic. But when oversight roles are cut and those responsible for compliance are stretched beyond their limits, the consequences can be catastrophic.” Teresa Eschuk, National President of UCTE, said in a statement.

“Canadians remember Lac-Mégantic. Our members work every day to prevent that kind of tragedy — they need support, not secrecy.”

The 2025 federal budget directed Transport Canada to find up to 15 per cent savings over three years.

“Transport Canada (TC) will implement a more modern and flexible regulatory and oversight regime that will allow the department to respond to rapid technological change, modernize services, facilitate regulatory compliance, and allocate resources more efficiently,” the budget said.

“Capitalizing on the work under the Government’s Reducing Regulatory Red Tape initiative, TC will deploy advanced technology and automation, where possible, to reduce duplication, modernize processes, and more closely align activities with the department’s mandate to support a safe and secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation system.“

While the Treasury Board of Canada does not say where the positions will be cut at Transport Canada, the union says it is “particularly concerned about proposed staffing reductions within inspection services and the transportation of dangerous goods directorate.”

“Years of under-resourcing have already left inspectors stretched thin,” the union said. “Further administrative cuts will only push workloads higher, limiting their capacity to carry out safety-critical work.”

Transport Canada’s website describes the department as being “responsible for transportation policies and programs.” The department looks after aviation, rail transportation, marine transportation, road transportation and the transport of dangerous goods.

“We promote safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible transportation,” Transport Canada said.

The union says it has “repeatedly called” on Transport Canada to provide “meaningful disclosure about the scope and rationale for the cuts – but has received little more than vague justifications and silence.”

The union wants Transport Canada to reverse all proposed cuts affecting inspections and oversight of dangerous goods.

“This isn’t just about jobs — it’s about the health of our members and the safety of Canadians,” Eschuk said. “Transport Canada has a duty of care. It’s time they start acting like it.”

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.

The Union of Canadian Transportation Employees is a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App