The union representing employees of Global Affairs Canada claims that the diplomatic service is laying off dozens of its most qualified diplomats, while asking other diplomats transferred from one continent to another to wait for months to recover their personal effects.
These cuts come as Global Affairs implements its plans to meet the austerity requirements imposed last year by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The layoff targets set by the ministry have sparked outrage among former diplomats and international relations experts, who argue that these cuts contradict Ottawa’s efforts to gain influence in this period of geopolitical crisis.
“The planned workforce reduction will directly impact foreign missions,” warned Pam Isfeld, career diplomat and President of the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers. “I simply don’t think things have been fully considered.”
The latest ministerial plan from Global Affairs, released on March 13, anticipates the ministry eliminating 1,240 full-time equivalents by March 2029 – a 9.4% reduction from the workforce of 13,185 full-time equivalents in March 2025. In January, the ministry sent notices to 3,095 employees warning them they might lose their jobs, stating that some may change positions or be spared if others resign or retire.
Global Affairs Canada stated that it must reduce its workforce by 12 to 13% by 2030. Ms. Isfeld explained that these cuts target the elimination of a specialized level of agents known as FS-04. Most employees at this level are either promoted to management or demoted, she said, but 34 positions are simply being eliminated.
In a written statement, the ministry did not dispute reports of 34 layoffs. “Global Affairs Canada is realigning its foreign affairs activities to have a maximum impact in a changing geopolitical context. The ministry continues to maintain a strong and competent workforce within the diplomatic service, operating on a rotational basis,” wrote spokesperson Thida Ith.
As staffing needs for FS-04 positions will be limited in the future, the ministry will temporarily fill FS-04 assignments with current employees as needed, Ms. Ith said. The ministry will continue to recruit at the lowest level and maintain a higher proportion of mid-level diplomats.
This article discusses the reduction in spending as a result of the ministerial plan from Global Affairs Canada, aiming to save half a billion dollars in the upcoming fiscal year, $747 million the following year, and $1.12 billion by March 2029. These savings will come from various sources, including efforts to refocus Canada’s diplomatic presence, streamline commercial services, and link foreign aid and security initiatives to economic growth.
The budget cuts at Global Affairs precede a review of foreign policy set to be published later this year. This review could indicate which countries will see an increase in diplomatic posts, which missions might close or merge with others, and which themes will be central to the concerns of the diplomatic service in the future. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand stated that her ministry already has the broad outlines of Canada’s new foreign policy and can use it to define its staffing priorities.
