Canada's parliamentary budget officer (PBO) estimates that the federal government spent $71.1 billion on wages and other personnel costs last year.

That would represent a $1.5-billion increase from the $69.6 billion spent on staff in 2023-24, according to a report by the independent body published on Thursday, and despite the public service shedding about 10,000 jobs.

The new analysis, which uses more frequent snapshots of federal staffing than previous reports, shows that if left unchecked, staffing costs are expected to rise to $76.2 billion by 2029-30 — two per cent higher than the amount the budget watchdog projected in March.

"As personnel expenses constitute the single largest component of federal operating spending, a more granular understanding is essential for effective parl

See Full Page