OTTAWA, October 20, 2025 — A new report released today by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), the union representing the scientists, researchers and engineers working for the federal government, highlights significant warning signs in Canada’s federal public science system – and urges renewed investment to ensure long-term resilience, not more cuts.

A Science Roadmap for Canada’s Future: Lessons from a Decade of Federal Scientists’ Voices, draws on 12 years of data from thousands of federal scientists and reveals a sector losing funding, capacity, and confidence – just when Canadians need it most.

“Federal science plays a quiet but essential role in everything from food safety to water quality to environmental monitoring to public health,” said PIPSC President Sean O’Reilly. “This report is a clear warning: our federal scientific capacity is fragile, already under pressure, and can’t take another hit.” 

Among the report’s findings:

• Just 6.5% believe their department has adequate research funding
• Confidence in evidence-based policy has declined to 44%
• 36% of federal laboratories and science facilities are in poor or critical condition
• Interference (requests to alter or omit findings for non-scientific reasons) is on the rise

PIPSC warns that early gains in science integrity and transparency made in the aftermath of a decade of muzzling and mismanagement, are now stalling or reversing. At the same time, the government is floating plans for sweeping public service cuts, threatening what little resilience remains in Canada’s scientific infrastructure. PIPSC is urging the government to reflect carefully.

“Cuts mean consequences that won’t just be felt in labs – they’ll be felt in communities,” continued O’Reilly. “Defunding federal science means slower responses to wildfires, fewer food inspections, weaker disease monitoring, and delayed action on environmental threats. These cuts hit the systems Canadians rely on every day, often without even realizing it.”

The report outlines a 10-point plan focused on strengthening scientific integrity, rebuilding capacity, and ensuring transparency and accountability in how scientific evidence is used in policymaking.

“Fixing inefficiencies means tackling what’s really holding public science back — unstable funding, political interference, inconsistent priorities, costly outsourcing, and outdated infrastructure,” said O’Reilly. “Public science takes decades to build and seconds to cut. In a time of global instability, we should be strengthening the institutions that make Canada strong, safe, and independent — not weakening them.”

PIPSC is calling on the federal government to reverse course on public service cuts and commit to long-term, sustainable funding for federal science.

PIPSC represents over 85,000 public-sector professionals across the country, most of them employed by the federal government. Follow us on Facebook, on X (formerly known as Twitter) and on Instagram.

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For more information: Johanne Fillion, 613-883-4900 (mobile)

The revival of the Bargaining Conference after several years was a great success. From September 9 to 11, 2025, bargaining team members from the Core Federal Public Service and selected agencies took part in an informative and collaborative training experience. The conference provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the bargaining process and strengthen solidarity across groups.

Participants engaged in a dynamic program featuring presentations, interactive panel discussions on real-world experiences, and hands-on activities aimed at building practical bargaining skills. In a post-event survey, nearly 62% of participants rated the training as “Excellent,” highlighting the interactive panels, real-life bargaining simulations, and collaborative learning atmosphere as key strengths.

One participant noted that the training “brought the bargaining process to life,” while another shared that it “built confidence and connection among groups that don’t often work together.”

These results confirm that the conference not only met its learning goals but also reinforced a strong sense of solidarity and readiness across the Institute’s bargaining teams.

Katherine Kenny, one of the negotiators who helped organize the event, reflected on its success:

“I am so pleased that this training achieved our pedagogical goals, but also that members from different groups were able to connect, share their experiences, and support one another.”

She added:

“Although this project began in our department, it was the combined knowledge and talent of teams and individuals across the Institute that made this unique training possible. It truly showed our bargaining team members that the entire Institute stands behind them when they get to the table.”

While this session focused on the Core Public Administration groups, the Negotiations Team is exploring similar sessions for other groups in the near future. The training modules developed for this conference will serve as a lasting resource for future learning and development across the Institute.

The return of the Bargaining Conference underscores the Institute’s ongoing commitment to supporting members and equipping bargaining teams with the tools and confidence needed to negotiate the best possible agreements on their behalf.

PIPSC members, like all members of the federal public service, are the quiet force behind Canada’s strength: dedicated professionals who protect the health, safety, and economic security of Canadians by building the programs and systems we all rely on – especially when times get tough.

Earlier this year, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne launched a directive for 7.5%, 10%, and 15% spending cuts – the most devastating attack on federal public services in a generation. Both jobs and entire programs could be on the chopping block.

These cuts are on top of the work force adjustments already being rolled out across departments as part of the government’s Budget Refocusing Exercise. It’s cuts on top of cuts.

PIPSC members make a difference in shaping a stronger and better Canada. These cuts will hurt Canadians. 

This is your opportunity to share your story about how these cuts will hurt.

How does your work make a difference in Canadians’ lives?

Together, we’re taking a stand for strong public services and a stable, more resilient Canada.

Tell us about your important work.