PSAC statement on Service Canada

The federal government is creating false expectations among Canadians that the quality of government services will improve through the newly created Service Canada.

One-stop-shopping for publicly-delivered services may seem like a good idea, but it will fail in practice if there are not enough workers to deliver these services. 

Once again, the government failed to sufficiently consult Canadians to find out how they want services delivered. The government also did not consult nor seek the participation of the PSAC in the development of Service Canada, despite the fact our members are the workers who deliver these front-line services. This creates suspicion that the real purpose of Service Canada is to cut jobs and not to improve services.

PSAC will not promote nor participate in any initiative that will compromise the quality of services to Canadians or cut public sector jobs.

Because of the government’s lack of meaningful consultation, the PSAC will ask the Canadian public and its own members about ways to enhance federal public services and public service delivery.

We believe that Canadians, who stand to benefit from enhanced services, and workers who will provide those services must be given an opportunity to express their views. It is only through the benefit of their insights that services to Canadians can be really improved.

Canadians deserve a fair opportunity to have a voice in the way federal services are provided.