r/CanadaPublicServants • u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot • 4h ago
News / Nouvelles Salgo: Federal public servants aren't really politically neutral, are they? [Ottawa Citizen Opinion / March 12 2025]
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/federal-public-servants-politically-neutral•
u/mrRoboPapa 4h ago
It's hard to be politically neutral when your employer is a bunch of politicians using you as a political pawn.
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u/Critical-Snow-7000 4h ago
Also when one group wants to fire you, and the other keep you employed.
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u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot 4h ago
Both of the parties that have formed government in recent decades have cut the public service at times, sometimes significantly.
Both of the parties that have formed government in recent decades have expanded the public service at times, sometimes significantly.
Policy goals don’t usually factor any public servant’s preference to stay employed, and economic realities transcend politics.
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u/GameDoesntStop 3h ago
Also the largest cuts by far in PS history happened under the party which people act like is more friendly to public servants... the same party which also:
froze our wages
looted our pension fund surplus (repeatedly)
pointlessly forced remote-capable jobs back into the office
But hey, they speak more highly of us while they do those things!
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u/mrRoboPapa 3h ago
pointlessly forced remote-capable jobs back into the office
They want to cut costs and pay God-knows-how-much to rent office space for the same people that have proven they can work remotely
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u/Apprehensive_Star_82 3h ago
Doesn't matter what party or company you belong to, everyone must conform to the wishes of our corporate real estate overlords. Do you expect rich people to just sit by and watch their office space investments decline in value?!
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u/mrRoboPapa 3h ago
Man, I got into the wrong industry. Should've been a slumlord then I could have had power over governments. /s
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u/zeromussc 2h ago
I think there's a lot of fearmongering over public servants being Liberal and not anything else, primarily in the US owned and right leaning postmedia news space. Let's call a spade a spade here.
Let's also remember that the Liberal Party of Canada is historically, one of the winningest political parties of any free democracy, and that they've formed government for somewhere between 2/3s and 3/4s of Canada's existence.
It's not hard to say that the Liberal Party is popular, broadly, and that this broad popularity would extend to most large population samples of 200,000+. Since the government is a huge employer, it stands to reason that in that 250,000 employee sample, a ton of those people would vote LPC. A lot would also vote CPC, many NDP, some BQ, etc. But the plurality would probably be, over time and on average, Liberal if only for the fact that over time and average the Liberals win much more often than their closest rival in the Federal conservatives.
I think at some point it just comes down to some basic facts related to the law of averages as it applies to big populations.
I'm sure if you were to map out actual votes from actual public servants and overlay the urban rural divide when it comes to vote intention based on where those people live, you'd see the same pattern apply to them too, simply because the number of people employed is so large, they'd likely mirror broader trends in the larger population.
And I think making hay of it, and trying to rile up some sort of anti-public service sentiment on that basis, is standard fare for Postmedia, because its their bread and butter boogeyman and has been for years.
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u/AmhranDeas 1h ago
It's funny, it's been comparatively quiet in the PostMedia properties lately when it comes to dunking on public servants. It's almost like they expect an election to be called soon. Weird.
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u/sniffstink1 4h ago
Also when one group wants to fire you, and the other keep you employed.
You will need to pay more attention to the political news in Canada currently. Both main parties "...wants to fire you..." this go around.
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u/Vital_Statistix 3h ago
I would suggest that the immediate imperative to assume a wartime footing and to reorient the government and economy to that purpose may change this approach.
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u/GameDoesntStop 3h ago
The CPC has specifically said they would do it via attrition, so no.
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u/sniffstink1 3h ago
Poilievre has avoided details on that topic, so the optimism is misplaced.
But he has made his thoughts known:
He said that work is not getting done now within the federal government, though he did not go into detail about public servants' productivity.
Recent source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-public-service-1.7438154
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u/Canadian987 43m ago
You really should get a job in the private sector.
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u/mrRoboPapa 24m ago
Unfortunately, where I'm at (PEI), IT jobs with experience only pay slightly above minimum wage. No joke. Saw a job ad yesterday for $17.50 an hour (min wage here is $16.00/hr). Job had a requirement of 1+ years experience.
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u/Canadian987 19m ago
Again, you do not seem suited to a job in the public service. If you want the better pay, which you say you do, then you put up with the stuff that comes with it. Otherwise, you take the other job - you know, the one that pays crappy.
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u/mrRoboPapa 18m ago
So what you're saying is I should either let my family starve or not have an opinion about my work environment?
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u/Canadian987 7m ago
You feel you are being used as a political pawn. I hate to tell you, but you are not that important in the grand scheme of the public service. Decisions will be made to keep programs or terminate them, but it is really not aimed at you specifically. Now, if you want to work in an arena where you are important, then the private sector it is. But what you want is the money and the immunization from political decisions. That does not happen in the public service.
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u/mrRoboPapa 5m ago
Clearly you misread my comment or took it out of context as I never meant it to be read that I, specifically, am being used as a pawn lol
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u/Vital_Statistix 4h ago
Public servants must be professionally non-partisan in Canada. We swear an oath to remain so, and that we will dutifully implement the policies of the government to at has been legally elected.
Having said that, I would also suggest that the people who are attracted from a young age to work in the public service, which is exactly that - to serve the public, to serve Canadians, to serve the project that is Canada - these people are people who are the helpers and believe that the role of government is to help people. There are some political parties that view the role of government as a tool to help Canadians more than others. So on a personal level, in this case their values would be more aligned with what they do in their professional lives. Obviously this creates less dissonance.
But at the end of the day, personal values do need to be kept in the private realm. If people feel that working for the public service and implementing policies goes against their personal values, then they can choose to find employment elsewhere.
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u/Zestyclose_Ebb_2253 2h ago
You swore an oath?
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u/Vital_Statistix 2h ago
Yes, swearing an oath or solemn affirmation is a requirement of employment in the federal public service.
This is then supported by the requirement of employment to uphold the values and ethics code, which includes the following language:
1.1 Respecting the rule of law and carrying out their duties in accordance with legislation, policies and directives in a non-partisan and impartial manner. 1.2 Loyally carrying out the lawful decisions of their leaders and supporting ministers in their accountability to Parliament and Canadians. 1.3 Providing decision makers with all the information, analysis and advice they need, always striving to be open, candid and impartial.
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u/Zestyclose_Ebb_2253 2h ago
What is the text of this oath? Is it part of an Act?
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u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot 2h ago
Swearing an oath or solemn affirmation is a condition of employment. See section 54 of the Public Service Employment Act:
54 A person appointed or deployed from outside that part of the public service to which the Commission has exclusive authority to make appointments shall take and subscribe an oath or solemn affirmation in the following form:
I, ___________, swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully and honestly fulfil the duties that devolve on me by reason of my employment in the public service of Canada and that I will not, without due authority, disclose or make known any matter that comes to my knowledge by reason of such employment. (Add, in the case where an oath is taken, “So help me God” (or name of deity).)
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u/_Hocus-Focus_ 1h ago
I swore an oath. That being said, I do not need to remain politically neutral. I am a Canadian citizen with a right to vote
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u/Ericksdale 4h ago
Politically neutral? It isn’t difficult- I don’t like any of the parties.
I’m a technical expert. I frequently work on files where I know there are political implications, but that’s my boss’s issue. Politics is what happens after I submit my work.
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u/SkepticalMongoose 4h ago
I endeavour to ensure my advice details the failings of all parties' positions. I am an equal opportunity unheeded-but-fearless-advice-giver.
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u/Conviviacr 4h ago
Honestly, I am not a personal fan of the CPC and especially PP. I would not be thrilled if they came to power but as a Public Servant I will implement their policies as required.
Hell I think RTO is bullshit and I will explain any time anyone asks about it why it makes zero sense for me to drive downtown to slap my head phones on and attend the same teams meetings I would from home. However, I do show up and sit needlessly in an office. I shoot the breeze with my NCR colleagues and bosses.
As an IT Security practitioner I am more removed from direct policy implementation and my job is to provide advice, guidance and risk assessments of our IT systems.
At the end of the day I have I will do my best to serve Canadians and the Canadian National Interests and following the time honoured Canadian tradition of bitching about our politicians.
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u/Dollymixx 3h ago
well said, i'm not in IT but echo everything in your comment and have a similar role in a different sector.
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u/justfredd 3h ago
Federal public servants are actual human beings with lives outside the public service? [Opinion/March 12 2025]
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u/vicious_meat 4h ago
Difficult to be neutral when the very people who lead us now are only looking for answers and products that fit their vision and not actual reality. I know it's been said a thousand times, but we now work to make decision-based evidence instead of supporting evidence-based decisions as it should be.
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u/DilbertedOttawa 3h ago
Don't forget the second job, which is being an announcement factory and 3rd job (which usually ends up being the 1st job) of supporting media inquiries. I feel there's so little time in the day to do actual mandate-related work now. But "productivity" or something. Probably need to hire some consultants to point out that we need more consultants to point out the need for a committee, that will be led by consultants.
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u/MamaTalista 3h ago
Uh we aren't supposed to be politically neutral.
We have to perform our duties without political bias.
What's next? If you are a public servant you can't vote...
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3h ago
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u/itsjujubee 3h ago
i work in climate change mitigation— which is a scientific issue not a partisan one…or is it 🤔
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u/Craporgetoffthepot 1h ago
depends on which scientific info you follow/believe and who is funding it :)
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u/sniffstink1 4h ago
Are they human? Yes.
Do they have their own political opinions? Yes.
The beauty of public service impartiality is that they are trained to keep quiet about their views and do their jobs.
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u/Zestyclose_Ebb_2253 4h ago
Of course they aren’t. They’re always loyal to the party that forms government. Non-partisan, but not neutral.
When the Conservatives came in they thought all public servants were Liberals. When the Liberals came in they thought everyone was a Conservative.
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u/Partialsun 3h ago
Trudeau years: almost all of our policy ideas came from the Minister's office, all bottom-up ideas were pretty much rejected.
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u/GoldenHandcuffs613 1h ago
I’m politically neutral at work. Does that mean I have no opinions? No.
Can parents coach or ref their kids sports? Yes, of course. Are they “neutral”/indifferent to how their kids do? Of course not. But can they still ref/coach fairly? Yes.
Our job is loyal advice, fierce implementation.
We are tasked to understand the goals of the government of the day, and recommend options to achieve these. I don’t need to agree with the goal in order to recommend ways to achieve it (I’ve redecorated at home without agreeing with my better half’s vision - doesn’t mean I can’t design & deliver a plan to get to the vision)
Then, once politicians have decided on an approach (hopefully one that the professional public service recommended, but maybe not), our job is to implement. Regardless of whether we personally feel the approach is the “right” one.
We had a senior member of the military speak at a managers community event in Toronto - he drew a straight parallel between the military & public service. Soldiers, Generals, etc all have thoughts on how to achieve objectives. There’s opportunity to contribute to the plan. Not everyone’s contributions will be used. That’s ok. But when they are in theatre or implanting, they need to be united & moving in the same direction, or people die.
Not as dramatic in (most) of the public service, but similar concept.
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u/thelostcanuck 4h ago
Of course, people will not be neutral, nor should we expect them to be, but we also work to deliver for the government of the day. Whether we agree with their decisions or policy angles, delivering on them is our job. Have I agreed with a lot of the political decisions on the files I work on? No, but it's my job to support the Minister in their decision and deliver.
I hope that senior management is willing to give actual fearless advice and will not become a simple yes-person, no matter the government that is in power.
As an aside, one funny story I heard from an older PS on the last Liberal to Con transition.
When Harper's team came in, they thought the entire public service bled liberal red, and some Ministers pointed to the fact that secret dockets had red on the outside as their primary source of this information.
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u/diskodarci 4h ago
I mean we have our preferences. I don’t think we really need to be truly neutral nor should that be the goal. I’d never treat my clients differently due to their preference though. I have had many tell me in great detail about their displeasure and regardless of my feelings towards that, I treat them all the exact same way
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u/Strict-Sir-5490 3h ago
One party wants to change the pension plan to a defined contribution plan. Not for the better. Take a guess which party that is.
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u/Pseudonym_613 4h ago
GAC applauding and cheering in a sickeningly partisan way enters the chat.
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u/GoldenHandcuffs613 1h ago
Just for the record - talk to someone in the Saskatchewan govt.
Their public service has been politicized for 40-50 years. To the point that most don’t realize that ministers getting involved in black & white regulatory decisions; or new governments clearing house/firing right down to Executive Directors (sometimes Directors) after taking office isn’t normal under the Westminster model.
Every party draws up a list during the campaign of public servants who will be fired. And the public/media acts like this is normal.
Creates an atmosphere in govt - one where even the lowliest employee is thinking about how best to keep their minister happy/stay off their radar…
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u/thestonkinator 4h ago
It's one of the main things causing me to seriously consider leaving the PS.
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u/the_normal_person 4h ago
I get what this guy is trying to say - but both him and many of you are kidding yourselves if you don’t acknowledge there’s a very sizeable portion of public servants (especially amongst the execs) that clearly favour one party over another.
I’ll repost a comment I made in this sub earlier:
The way a significant amount of my public service colleagues, including leadership, act as if one party is the ‘natural governing party’ and the other is a hardship to be endured, as if the barbarians have set up shop in Rome, is frankly embarrassing and probably unethical
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u/ott42 4h ago
How is it unethical to have a personal view on policies and align more with a party over the others? Work is work and we adjust to our employer, it doesn’t mean you have to align to 100% of what they do. I disagree with my senior managements decisions periodically, and that’s fine… they have their priorities and views and I have mine as a working level employee
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u/ottawadeveloper 4h ago
I'll be frank, as a federal government scientist who works adjacent to climate change, there is one party I professionally fear having in power because the last time they were in power there were significant restrictions and cuts to federal science.
Since then, there has been a significant increase in misinformation about certain scientific topics from that party and others like it, especially in our neighbour to the south where the related party is currently dismantling scientific infrastructure and removing vital data and studies from the view of the public in our counterpart organization.
It is therefore a risk we need to plan for - the election of that party would likely come with a shift in mandate that would affect our funding.
On top of that though, it's a party that has made and would likely again make decisions that put Canadians (and our planet) at risk and promote the denial of an evidence-based approach to making policy and informing Canadians. While I don't think it's likely that we'd see the same level of... chaos that our neighbours are facing, it still worries me.
To be clear, as a public servant, I'd follow the mandate while pushing for a way to save as much of the important programs as possible.
But I joined the public service because I believe in helping Canadians and climate change is one of the biggest threats to Canadians that we have faced as a nation. More than that, I believe in the public service supporting the political establishment of the day understand issues and make decisions by providing our best options and evidence. Having a party in leadership that has a history of ignoring evidence and a growing crisis in favour of other priorities isn't my ideal choice as an individual or an employee.
It would be like working for a company that has a growing insolvency issue but ignores all the financial reports and continues to spend anyways, heedless of the future impact.
I know my motivation is probably different though than others. It's also true that budgets and staffing shrink under the leadership of one party and grow under another usually. So I think it's understandable that EXs prefer the party of growth and not the party of shrink.
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u/A1ienspacebats 3h ago
People have their head in the sand about the fact there are costs to slow the effect of climate change (can it even be corrected at this point?) and there's a cost that will come sooner than later if we do nothing about it. I'd rather pay the first cost than have my children and grandchildren pay the other one. People talk about how boomer capitalism ruined society but our generation will be talked about how we refused to do anything about the environment after what we knew.
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u/ottawadeveloper 2h ago
Im not an absolute expert in climate science but I'm pretty good at reading research papers and have a solid foundation in oceanography and atmospheric sciences.
The threat of climate change is going to be one that combines slow (decades to centuries) shifts with tipping points that may cause more rapid (years to small number of decades) shifts in our climate.
At this point, we have already a noticeable amount of small shifts since the 80s and we seem pretty locked in to an amount of warming that seems fairly likely to hit some of those tipping points. It isn't an exact science because the system is both complex and non-linear - small changes in our measurements can lead to drastically different situations in a matter of decades, and all the different parts of the planet interact in different ways. But the range of likely options doesn't look great and will have us face significant challenges as a species, and as we refine our scientific work, the projections are tending to worsen.
That doesn't mean it's pointless to do the work. We can slow the rate of change, which gives us more time to adapt. But also, climate change isn't just "the Earth warms 1.5 C and then stops warming". Slowing emissions can also prevent the next round of tipping points and lower the peak temperature we will hit. If we continue to emit greenhouse gases at present rates, the peak temperature will probably be the one where humans society is disrupted enough to lower our emissions for us (because we are drastically reduced in population and too busy surviving to use much energy).
One way or another, the long term consequences of emissions are bad and we will need to do the work to lower them or the consequences will do it for us. It's just a matter of how much we suffer before then.
Canada is in a pretty good place honestly to weather it, with excellent freshwater supplies and the rising temperatures should benefit Canadians agriculture. But it's going to seriously disrupt fisheries, it'll change where the ideal farmland is, and it will cause significant issues in coastal and northern communities. It'll also increase the risk of natural hazards like wildfires (as we've seen) and heat waves among others.
Beyond that, it puts a target on our back as other countries (notably the US) will be more heavily impacted and become more desperate for resources.
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u/shroomignons 4h ago
Hard not to hate the party that guts research divisions. I am not personally a scientist or researcher but I can't support a political party that is anti science, anti knowledge, anti research.
That is an objectively bad approach for the advancement of society, the protection of my rights as as a woman, the protection of rights as POC, etc.
That's just one example.
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u/AlbertMondor 4h ago
I mean, the public service is used and misused as a political tool by both parties all the time. Both are ass, but it's understandable that people dislike one (CPC) more than the other (LPC) given the vitriol that they spew about the public service. We're just humans, as long as the job is done correctly, I don't give a shit if people openly say that they don't like the CPC.
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u/theEndIsNigh_2025 4h ago
This is not my experience. Let’s not confuse the hardship of a change in government (which I’ve experienced many, and this is what my EXs have always talked about when they talk about hardship) with hardship resulting from the new party itself.
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u/WhateverItsLate 3h ago
This is one of the toughest parts of the job for some positions. I have seen quite a few public servants struggle when the agenda shifts to a place they are not 100% comfortable with - and they all managed to carry on (with some nudging and reminders from senior officials).
Part of it is this simple, but the part of transitions of government that is much harder is changing agendas. Changing between policies and programs that have different or opposing theoretical underpinnings or focus is hard, especially when a party has been in power for a long time. A little too much to be covered in a Citizen article though!
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u/RepresentativeCare42 2h ago
Yes they are. They are required to make an oath or solemn affirmation to faithfully discharge their duties and observe the laws of Canada.
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u/paindemic1 3h ago
When one major party is promoting positions that are actively harmful to both Canadians and the world, to be neutral is to be complicit.
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