Ontario Conservative MP Vincent Ho recently posed a question in the House of Commons regarding the federal public service. He inquired about the number of employees earning an annual salary exceeding $150,000. The Treasury Board responded that there are currently 12,971 such employees, which represents 3.5 percent of the total federal workforce. This figure marks an alarming 84 percent increase in high earners compared to the previous year, when only 7,201 federal civil servants made over $150,000.

The increase in high salaries is attributed to wage settlements and generous raises that nearly doubled the number of high earners within just one year. Additionally, the Treasury Board's response did not account for bonuses, which average over $17,000 per federal executive and are awarded to approximately 85 percent of senior civil servants.

These statistics highlight the challenges the Carney government faces in managing federal spending. Under the previous Trudeau administration, the federal workforce expanded by 42 percent, leading to a 68 percent increase in payroll costs. The Carney government is reportedly reluctant to lay off civil servants, opting instead to offer early retirement packages to over 68,000 federal employees aged 50 and older. These packages allow employees to retire five years early while still receiving full pensions, which could amount to an average windfall of $194,000 for those who choose to leave.

However, this early retirement incentive could cost taxpayers approximately $1.5 billion if 37,000 civil servants accept the offer. In contrast, the projected annual savings from a reduced payroll would only be about $82 million, according to a recent budget footnote. This situation raises concerns about the financial implications for Canadian taxpayers.

While a proposed 10 percent reduction in the civil service may seem significant, it is only a fraction of the workforce growth seen under previous Liberal governments. If the Carney government successfully reduces its payroll by 10 percent, it would still employ nearly 331,000 individuals. Statistics Canada indicates that one in four Canadian workers, or 25 percent of the total workforce, is employed in the public sector, which includes a wide range of professions such as teachers, nurses, police officers, and border agents.

The political landscape is also affected by these employment figures, as elections often turn into contests over which party can promise the most government jobs or funding for public services. This dynamic tends to favor parties that advocate for larger government, complicating efforts to elect administrations focused on fiscal restraint.

Further illustrating concerns about government spending, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation revealed that Prime Minister Carney's recent two-day cabinet retreat in Toronto cost taxpayers $532,000. This amount included $78,700 for audiovisual services and $38,300 for accommodations and meals. Such expenditures raise questions about the government's commitment to controlling federal spending.