Months after campaigning on a promise to save billions by finding efficiencies without cutting jobs, the Doug Ford government is launching and expanding voluntary exit programs for groups of public service employees.
“As part of the government’s comprehensive plan to address its fiscal challenges, the government is exploring measures to manage its compensation costs in a way that ensures vital services to citizens are not compromised while avoiding involuntary job losses,” a memo sent to employees, and obtained by Global News Wednesday evening, read.
WATCH: Government moves to downsize Ontario Public Service
“To help streamline the size of the Ontario Public Service (OPS), the current focus is on leveraging available programs that will allow employees to exit the organization on a voluntary basis. As such, cabinet has approved a time-limited transition exit initiative expansion and a new voluntary exit program within the OPS.”
The memo said employees in seven different management compensation plans and groups can apply for the new voluntary exit program between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28. The employees would have until Dec. 31, 2019 to leave.
Under the transition exit initiative, a program that has been in place since 2013, it will be expanded to four new employee groups — and not just managers — on Jan. 1 and run until Feb. 28.
It’s unclear how many employees would be eligible to apply under the two programs or what the financial implications would be.
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Shortly after being elected in June, Ford announced a hiring freeze with the exception of essential front-line staff while a review of the province’s finances was being undertaken.
On Monday, Ontario’s financial watchdog said the province’s deficit will rise to $12.3 billion this fiscal year.
Opposition legislators and labour groups said the premier is breaking his promise not to cut jobs.
“The Ford government’s memo to thousands of workers makes it clear that Ford is eliminating jobs, and cutting the public services that everyday people count on,” NDP legislator Sara Singh said in a statement.
“Doug Ford has not told Ontario families what services are being cut, or how many jobs he plans to cut. He has clearly been planning to slash jobs all along – but has been making things up to hide it.”
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union raised concerns the buyouts were only the beginning.
“I think we’re up next, I have no doubt in my mind. I do worry about it a lot,” said the union’s president, Warren “Smokey” Thomas.
“I’m just quite concerned that they’re going to keep cutting programs and keep cutting the front line by attrition and I tell you, the front line of the government has been cut to the bone.”
— With files from Travis Dhanraj and The Canadian Press
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