OTTAWA – A recent poll conducted by Leger, commissioned by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, indicates that a significant proportion of Canadians, specifically 54 percent, believe that the size and cost of the federal public service should be reduced in the upcoming years. This survey sheds light on public sentiment towards the federal bureaucracy amid claims of rising personnel costs and increasing staff numbers.

The findings reveal that among those surveyed, 24 percent prefer to maintain the current size of the public service, while only four percent advocate for an increase in its size. Meanwhile, 17 percent of respondents expressed uncertainty regarding the future of the federal public service. This poll highlights a growing concern among Canadians about government efficiency and expenditure, particularly in light of the reported addition of almost 99,000 employees to the federal workforce since 2016. Consequently, personnel costs have surged by over 70 percent during this period, raising questions about the sustainability and effectiveness of such growth.

In addition to concerns about the size and cost of the federal bureaucracy, the poll addressed perceptions regarding the quality of federal services. Approximately 50 percent of Canadians believe that the quality of these services has deteriorated since 2016. Furthermore, nearly a quarter of respondents feel that the quality has not changed, while only 11 percent perceive an improvement in federal services. An additional 16 percent of the participants were uncertain about the quality of services being provided. These opinions suggest a significant disconnect between the increased funding and staffing levels and the perceived effectiveness of the services rendered by the federal government.

The methodology of the poll is noteworthy as it was conducted online, and according to the Canadian Research Insights Council, such surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error due to the lack of a random sampling process. This is an important aspect to consider when interpreting the results, as it may impact the generalizability of the findings to the broader Canadian population.

These insights come at a time when debates regarding the efficiency and management of public services are intensifying across Canada. The concerns raised in the Leger poll reflect a growing desire among Canadians for accountability and transparency in government spending, as well as a push for improved service delivery in the federal sector.