Dear S&A Members,
I want to acknowledge the anxiety and uncertainty many of you are experiencing following CFIA All‑Staff Town Hall held on January 27, 2026. The government‑directed reductions, as a result of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review, and the scale of changes announced across the Agency, are significant. With approximately 1,300 employees affected — including 587 positions eliminated —these decisions have real human impact. I want you to know that your union stands firmly with you during this challenging time. Approximately one-quarter of the S&A members have been impacted.
CFIA has outlined a new, simplified organizational structure intended to better align work with the risks the Agency manages. This includes a shift to a streamlined business‑line model and several supporting structural adjustments. While the details will continue to unfold over the coming months, what matters most for our members right now is clarity, fairness, and support.
It is important that all of us are aware of the collective rights outlined in our Collective Agreement, including Appendix B – Employment Transition[HH1] . The Agency uses the term “employment transition,” which is equivalent to “workforce adjustment” that is used in the Core Public Service. I strongly encourage every member to familiarize themselves with the resources available to you:
- PIPSC’s “Understanding Work Force Adjustment” guide: https://pipsc.ca/news-issues/understanding-work-force-adjustment [HH2]
- A helpful PIPSC video presentation on WFA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcIL0tdWOg[HH3]
- CFIA’s internal Employment Transition resources on Merlin (available only on the CFIA network): https://merlin.cfia-acia.inspection.gc.ca/en/human-resources/employees/employment-transition [HH4]
PIPSC posted news article January 29, 2026, detailing the impact of the current CFIA cuts: Press Release — CFIA cuts put food safety and billions in trade exports at risk, warns PIPSC | The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada [HH5]
Please take the time to review these materials. If anything is unclear or you feel unsure about how your situation may be affected, ask questions. Reach out to PIPSC or to your S&A Group representatives[HH6] —we are here to help you understand your options, your rights, and the support available to you.
It is important that you take care of yourselves and one another during this period of change. Use the Employee and Family Assistance Program if needed, check in with colleagues, and know that it is normal to feel unsettled as the Agency continues to provide more information over the next year.
We have no updated information on the Early Retirement Incentive, the Alternation Process, the Assessment and Selection Process or the announced new positions (approximately 250), however we will keep you informed as soon as further details become available.
Better Together and in solidarity.
Respectfully,
Fred Jamieson
President, PIPSC CFIA S&A Group