The federal government needs to put people first by investing in the public service.

This is the message that we are stressing as National Public Service Week (NPSW) comes to a close on June 21.

NPSW was created in 1992 with an objective to “recognize the value of the services rendered by federal public service employees” and to “acknowledge the contribution of federal public service employees to the federal administration.”

Cuts harm services people rely on

We are seeing ongoing budget and job cuts across federal departments and agencies, including significant job cuts to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and recent cuts to term positions at Employment and Social Development Canada.

These cuts not only impact the lives of our members and their families, but also the public services that people rely on.

In the face of a volatile economy and labour shortages, CEIU members are processing immigration files and work visas to keep the economy strong.

And amidst tariffs and rising unemployment, CEIU members are processing Employment Insurance claims and providing other vital supports.

Job cuts like these have far-reaching impacts.

Prime Minister Carney needs to stop the cuts.

Recognize the value of the public service

Our members are proud of the work that they do.

Despite eroding confidence in public institutions in the United States, the opposite is true here in Canada: we continue to score well on international rankings with high satisfaction in key public services, and the quality of our civil service.

This is thanks to our strong, unionized public service.

This National Public Service Week, CEIU reiterates our call to fund a robust public service fit to face the challenges of our times.

With bargaining underway, now is the time for a strong collective agreement with fair wages, a robust telework agreement and enhanced job security protections.

Let’s fight for a collective agreement that our members rightly deserve.

Let’s fight for a public service that continues to be recognized as amongst the best in the world.