Letter to the Editor – Cape Breton Post

By Danny Cavanagh, President of the NS Federation of Labour – The recent announcement of 3,300 job cuts at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is poised to have significant repercussions for tax-payers, good unionized jobs in Cape Breton, and the broader local economy. These layoffs are part of a broader federal initiative to reduce spending, with IRCC being notably affected. Cape Breton hosts a considerable number of federal employees working for IRCC. The reduction of 3,300 positions nationwide raises concerns about the extent to which local employees will be affected. The potential layoffs of federal employees in Cape Breton could have big negative implications on the local economy. Federal jobs often provide stable income, and their loss will lead to decreased consumer spending, affecting local businesses and services. Moreover, these cuts and their uncertainty may deter future regional investments, further exacerbating economic challenges. Beyond the immediate job losses, there are concerns about the impact on immigration services. The unions have urged the government to replace costly outsourcing contracts with in-house expertise to strengthen the immigration system and minimize the impact of the cuts.

The announced job cuts at IRCC present significant challenges in Cape Breton and pose broader economic and service-related concerns for the community. Keeping jobs in-house makes sense for tax-payers, and contracting out such services will cost more in the long run, as has been repeatedly proven. If the Federal Conservatives get into power, it has already been clear they would slash federal jobs, jobs many businesses and communities rely on in our region. Remember when the last Conservative government cut jobs and how devastating that was when thousands of people rallied in Sydney to save Veterans Affairs? Be careful who you vote for.