Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Around 10,000 Canadian federal public servants apply for early retirement as Ottawa moves ahead with plans to reduce bureaucracy.
Thousands of Federal Public Servants Apply for Early Retirement
A major shift is underway in Canada’s public service as thousands of federal employees choose a new path. About 10,000 public servants have applied for the government’s early retirement program, which was introduced as part of a wider effort to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
The programme attracted attention after the government reached out to eligible employees across federal departments. Now, as applications move through the review process, officials say many workers have already qualified.
Ottawa Receives More Than 10,000 Retirement Applications
The federal government confirmed that 10,006 applications had been submitted by Tuesday after the application deadline closed last week.
The early retirement offer was first shared in December when information letters were sent to about 68,000 public servants who may have met the requirements.
However, the programme was not designed around a fixed retirement target. Instead, employees were given the option to decide whether leaving early suited their personal plans.
Eligible Workers Could Retire Without Early Penalties
Under the retirement plan, employees as young as 50 could apply if they had at least 10 years of employment and two years of pensionable service.
If approved, eligible workers could receive an immediate pension based on their years of service. They would also avoid the usual penalty linked to retiring before reaching the standard retirement age.
The offer provided an opportunity for some employees to leave the workforce sooner while receiving retirement benefits.
More Than 6,800 Applicants Meet Requirements So Far
Officials say thousands of applications have already passed the first stage of review.
Mohammad Kamal, spokesperson for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, said more than 6,855 applicants have met the eligibility rules so far. That number is expected to increase as additional applications continue through the assessment process.
Meanwhile, Rola Salem, spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, noted that retirement decisions remain personal choices for employees.
Government Moves Forward With Workforce Changes
The early retirement programme is part of the federal government’s broader plan to reduce the number of public servants. As departments review applications, the final impact on staffing levels will become clearer in the coming months.
For now, thousands of federal workers are weighing a significant career decision, while Ottawa continues its efforts to reshape the public service.
