Thousands of Global Affairs Canada jobs are at risk just as the prime minister pursues an ambitious global agenda. Pam Isfeld says cuts could reach political and economic officers, trade commissioners and consular staff.
“It means overall less capacity to know what’s going on and to be able to interact.”
Prime Minister Carney set out a new direction for Canada’s foreign policy at Davos, but PAFSO warns that cuts at the foreign ministry will undermine it. Pam Isfeld says the new vision needs a strong foreign service.
“You’re talking about an ambitious agenda, but you’re cutting the tools to implement that agenda.”
Thousands of Global Affairs Canada employees, including about 700 PAFSO members, received notices that their jobs could be affected before the government had finished its foreign policy review. Pam Isfeld questions cutting before defining priorities.
“I just don’t understand why we’re cutting without defining what it is that we want to do and what we need.”
Finance Minister Champagne has asked ministers to find 7.5 per cent in savings, and Minister Anand confirms Global Affairs Canada will not be spared, alarming some former diplomats.
“It’s going to be painful.”
Global Affairs Canada’s spending plan shows peacekeeping funding down 42 per cent from 2015–16, despite promises to support the United Nations. Pam Isfeld welcomes planned growth that will send more diplomats abroad and hopes it includes more junior positions.
Read the articlePrime Minister Carney has promised to invest in Canada’s foreign service. PAFSO is encouraged but wants details; Pam Isfeld says a foreign policy review is long overdue, and now is the time, given tensions with the United States.
Read the articleFormer diplomats say the Liberal pledge to expand Canada’s presence abroad will need new money and a less risk-averse foreign ministry. Pam Isfeld calls for faster processes, including how quickly new postings are assigned.
Read the articleGlobal Affairs Canada will launch an internal dissent channel for diplomats to raise concerns about policy, modelled on the U.S. State Department’s. Pam Isfeld welcomes it but wants to know how it will work.
“The devil’s going to be in the details.”
Opinion piece by Pam Isfeld: since Canada Life and MSH International took over the Public Service Health Care Plan in 2023, foreign service officers and their families abroad have been denied basic coverage, forcing PAFSO to take the government to court.
Read the articlePAFSO is asking the Federal Court to order the government to fix “significant systemic problems” with public service health insurance, which have left diplomats abroad fighting for reimbursement.
“Employees pay half the premiums, and all of that money is still being deducted from everybody’s pay while this service is widely known to be non-functional.”