OTTAWA (Ontario), April 29, 2025 — The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) congratulates the Liberal Party of Canada on winning the most seats in the 2025 federal election.

While it appears no party earned a majority of seats or the popular vote, all now share the responsibility of delivering for Canadians. In a Parliament without a clear mandate, the message from voters is unmistakable: Canadians want action that protects Canada’s future and improves their day-to-day lives—not partisan bickering or short-sighted cuts. Any party looking to hold onto power must demonstrate concrete progress on affordability, opportunity, and quality of life.

“At a time when Canadians are anxious about tariffs, affordability and rising costs, we need to strengthen what supports them—not weaken it," said Sean O’Reilly, President of PIPSC. “This means investing in the public services they rely on. You can’t balance the books on the backs of the people who keep this country running – and you can’t cut your way to confidence in the House.”

As the new government takes shape, all parties must resist the urge to scapegoat public services as a way to manage fiscal pressures. Public servants have always been there for Canadians—in crises, recovery, and uncertainty. The services they deliver provide stability and a lifeline in the toughest times. Cutting them won’t solve our challenges; it will only make them worse.

Instead, the new government must make choices that reflect the needs of Canadians and protect our long-term interests – including properly resourcing the CRA to crack down on corporate tax evasion and putting an end to wasteful outsourcing. These are resources that could help shoulder the economic burdens we face, yet continue to drain billions from the public purse.

“PIPSC stands ready to work with this government—and with all parties in Parliament—to ensure public policy is driven by facts, fairness, and a commitment to the public good,” continued O’Reilly. “And we are equally prepared to defend our members and the services they provide if they are targeted by short-sighted efficiency stunts.”

Given renewed threats from the U.S.—not just in the form of tariffs, but in rhetoric that challenges our very sovereignty—the government must remember what sets Canada apart: a deep commitment to strong public institutions, universal social programs like healthcare, and public services that benefit everyone. These are not costs to be cut; they are core to who we are.

PIPSC represents over 75,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile), jfillion@pipsc.ca

The Legacy Foundation awards post-secondary education scholarships to the children and grandchildren of both regular and retired PIPSC members. Its mission is to promote professionalism and service to the community and the country. 

Through the generous donations of our PIPSC community and corporate sponsors, the foundation has generated more than a million dollars in scholarships for young Canadians.

We are seeking volunteers to participate in this year’s selection panel for the Legacy Foundation Scholarship program. 

Panelists will commit to a training session and evaluate approximately 60 applications over a 4-week period. We have a specific need for bilingual panelists. If you would like to volunteer in this year’s scholarship selection panel, please send an expression of interest to scholarship@pipsc.ca by April 25, 2025.

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Delbert “Del” Dickson, a dedicated leader, passionate advocate, and cherished friend. Del’s unwavering commitment to his profession and community left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Del devoted 30 years of his career as an accountant and auditor with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Alongside his professional work, he was an active and respected leader within the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), where he tirelessly defended the rights of members and championed their interests.

He received a Steward of the Year Award and served for many years as an NCR Director on the Board of Directors and Chair of the National Finance Committee. He played a key role in the AFS National Executive, contributing to the Bargaining Team and National Consultation Committee. He also served as president and executive member of the AFS HQ Sub-Group and was an active Ottawa Centreville Branch executive.

At Regional Council meetings and National AGMs, Del was a familiar presence at the microphone, speaking passionately on issues that mattered to members. His leadership, activism, and dedication earned him the Lifetime Membership Award, a testament to his lasting contributions.

Del’s presence, wisdom, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by his colleagues, friends, and all who worked alongside him.

The NCR Executive mourns his loss and extends heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

The government's current patchwork approach to AI in the federal public sector is inadequate to keep pace with rapid technological changes. PIPSC remains disappointed by the TBS strategy unveiled in March 2025. 

We’ve long advocated for a federal strategy that guarantees transparency, including a registry on all AI use – a commitment previously made by Chief Data Officer of Canada, Steven Burt—but this was not delivered. There were also no assurances against job cuts due to AI or against its misuse from monitoring public servants, which we know is already happening. 

Most critically, there was no mention of an independent AI regulator. AI, when used responsibly, can empower workers, enhance jobs, and drive efficiencies. However, its unregulated use invites abuse: replacing workers, threatening privacy and undermining public sector standards.

PIPSC wants to see more substantive engagement and ongoing consultation on AI, and we continue to call for the creation of joint federal union and government committees. Public servants deserve to understand how AI will reshape their jobs and workplace, and our members deserve a stronger voice in this transformation. It's too crucial for the future of the public service for workers to be sidelined or their critical feedback ignored. 

Canada’s federal public sector needs a comprehensive and transparent approach to AI —supported by regulation and independent oversight, ongoing consultation, and collective bargaining— that addresses privacy risks, ensures employee rights, and safeguards good public sector jobs. 

Specifically, PIPSC is advocating for a federal strategy on AI that includes the following protections, safeguards and principles: 

• Consultation: Whether it’s introducing new AI into workflows or developing a federal strategy, government must consult unions and affected parties at all times. Establish regular consultation mechanisms across sectors, including with the Treasury Board, meeting at least four times annually. Strengthen the AI Advisory Council by incorporating union representation as we are directly affected by AI use.
• Regulation: Establish federal oversight bodies to regulate AI across all levels of government, including national security institutions, ensuring privacy and human rights protections. Ideally, Canada establishes a single regulatory framework that governs AI in both private and public sectors.
• Transparency: Treasury Board, departments, and agencies must publicly disclose all AI uses, particularly regarding recruitment, staffing, performance management, security screning, and visitor access.
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): AI policies must be developed with an EDI lens, ensuring no discriminatory practices, like Clearview photo recognition, are used. All AI must be inclusive from the outset.
• Bargaining AI: Mandate the inclusion of AI use in the collective bargaining process so that employers and unions can bargain on how AI affects an employee’s work life.
• Monitoring: End all covert AI employee monitoring, including surveillance tools and robots, as highlighted by recent media reports.
• Review: New AI systems must be regularly reviewed after implementation to assess their effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.
• Whistleblower Protection: Protect employees who report unethical AI use, following successful models like those in Australia.
• Research: Federal departments should lead AI research to enhance existing programs or develop new ones, ensuring that research is conducted by public servants unless exceptions are justified.
• Training and Retraining: Provide mandatory, fully-funded AI training or retraining for employees, starting immediately when needed.
• Advance Warning: Extend the notice period for AI-related job changes or layoffs to at least one year, allowing sufficient time for retraining.
• Job Guarantee: If retraining is impractical, guarantee new job opportunities for employees impacted by AI-driven layoffs.

Community and labour organizations across the country are calling on Canada’s federal parliament to prioritize the interests of working people as it develops an action plan in response to new US tariffs. 

Urgent improvements are needed to Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) system, as workers face economic hardship due to tariffs from the United States. The Interprovincial EI Working Group developed the EI Roadmap to ensure the government of Canada protects all workers at this time of uncertainty and vulnerability. 

PIPSC endorses the EI Roadmap alongside the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Unifor, the Canadian Labour Congress, and over 100 other organizations and unions across Canada. 

Read the EI Roadmap

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Pascal Sylvester Kirton Joseph on March 9, 2025. Pascal was a dedicated union member and a passionate advocate for workplace fairness and equity. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.

Pascal was an active and engaged member of the AFS Group at PIPSC, serving in various leadership roles throughout his career. He contributed significantly to numerous local, regional and national committees, including the Employee Assistance Program, the Union-Management Consultation Team, and the Employment Equity Committee. His dedication to union leadership culminated in his service on the PIPSC Board of Directors, representing the Ontario Region from 2009 to 2010.

Beyond his professional and union contributions, Pascal was known for his warm personality, ability to connect with people, and passion for fostering inclusive workplaces. His legacy of advocacy and leadership will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.

We extend our deepest condolences to Pascal’s family, friends, and colleagues. We honour his years of service and dedication and will always remember his unwavering commitment to the labour movement.

Memories of Pascal and condolences can be shared here.

PIPSC is deeply disappointed by Justice Jocelyne Gagné's decision to dismiss the motion to certify the Black Class Action lawsuit against the federal government. This landmark case, which sought to address decades of systemic discrimination against Black public servants, represented a critical opportunity to acknowledge historical wrongs and create meaningful change within our institutions.

The Federal Court's reasoning that the case "did not sufficiently meet the class action requirement" and that its scope "makes it unfit for a class procedure" fails to recognize the shared experiences of discrimination that have affected countless Black public servants. While the court acknowledges the "profoundly sad ongoing history of discrimination suffered by Black Canadians," this acknowledgment rings hollow without corresponding action.

“Systemic racism requires systemic solutions," said Din I. Kamaldin of the PIPSC Black Caucus. “By dismissing this class action, the court has placed additional barriers in the path of those seeking redress for decades of discrimination.”

"We stand in unwavering solidarity with the Black Class Action Secretariat and our Black members," said Sean O'Reilly, President of PIPSC. "This decision is not the end of the fight but rather a moment that strengthens our resolve to pursue justice through all available channels."

PIPSC calls on the federal government to demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing systemic racism by engaging directly with the Black Class Action Secretariat and implementing the changes they have proposed, including:

1. Creation of a Black Equity Commission to investigate challenges, implement solutions, and hold government entities accountable for discrimination.
2. A compensation fund to address psychological trauma and financial losses suffered by Black public servants over the past 50 years.
3. Implementing concrete measures to eliminate barriers to hiring and promotion for Black public servants

The pursuit of justice and equity in our public service must continue, regardless of this setback.

For more information on how to support this ongoing fight for justice, please visit www.blackclassaction.ca.