Transforming the Canadian economy will not be without “challenges” and “sacrifices”, Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned. And while we are waiting for details of the budget to be presented Nov. 4, he already telegraphed plans to reduce “wasteful government spending”.
Given ambitious investment plans and the need to “dramatically” change Canada’s economic strategy, cutting into “waste” will likely translate into public sector job cuts.
Lower job finding prospects
In fact, public sector workers reported “a lower probability of finding a job, possibly due in part to the federal government’s comprehensive expenditure review,” the 3Q Bank of Canada Survey of Consumer Expectations said.
One of the respondents told the Bank:
The government’s priority is to rein back spending, and that’s having a direct impact on staffing. It’s frustrating because I want to stay in the public sector and do something for Canadians, but the opportunities are shrinking.
Source: Bank of Canada
Fairness
How to communicate when public sector workers could feel their jobs are ‘sacrificed’ ?
Fairness is paramount, whether when communicating with public sector employees or with the general public. Because when employees go home, they are the general public as well.
An Abacus Data poll from Sept. 23 noted the Canadian public “remains doubtful about fairness and credibility.”
“Canadians expect targeted action on housing, infrastructure, and defence, but worry that the benefits will flow to those already powerful,” the report added.
Fairness is particularly important in an age of polarization that Canada isn’t immune to.
This is in line with findings from Maslansky+partners in their report titled “The fairness factor: Earning trust in an age of rage”. When U.S. consumers were asked which values matter most, the top six were related to fairness:
- Fair: 74%
- Ethical: 72%
- Respectful: 71%
- Consistent: 69%
- Transparent: 67%
- Responsive: 65%
Canada’s public affairs and communicators in the federal government might want to take a cue.
Let’s discuss what strategies can be effective for moving beyond awareness to action.
