Prime Minister Mark Carney’s $25B spending cuts set to collide with rising unemployment and fuel economic uncertainty

Economist David Macdonald of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives called the cuts “the deepest since the Chrétien era,” warning they could touch Indigenous services, non-profits, and foreign aid. “There’s a lot more on the table now,” he said.

Economic ripple effects

“This is unprecedented in modern times,” said Kevin Page, former Parliamentary Budget Officer and president of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Democracy. “These cuts will have a ripple effect across the economy.” Page noted that with Ottawa pledging an additional $40 billion annually to defense by 2035, other departments will be squeezed harder.

Yet, these cuts are not unexpected. As Bank of Governor, Tiff Macklem stated: “The job market is weakening.” His reference is to the rise in layoffs in export‑anchored sectors — especially manufacturing — and declining demand. Manufacturing alone lost 55,000 jobs since January, largely driven by U.S. tariffs and global trade uncertainties.

Public service job cuts escalate the risk of further unemployment as hundreds of thousands rely on federal employment. Over 1 in 4 public‑sector workers cited expectations of workplace downsizing in a recent StatCan survey — especially worrisome as Carney’s plan targets operational budgets.

Broader labour market trends

• Youth unemployment soared: May’s returning students (aged 15 to 24) faced a 20.1% jobless rate, matching 2009 recession peaks.
• Average wages continue modest growth (a gain of 3.4% year‑over‑year in May), but dwindling opportunities threaten future gains.
• Job growth has stagnated since early 2025, with net gains concentrated in retail, finance, and utilities — while public administration, transportation, and construction saw substantial declines.

Economic risk

Despite modest wage growth of 3.4% year-over-year, the job market is under pressure, and households are beginning to pull back on spending — a signal of the broader economic strain faced by most Canadians.

As Carney’s government works toward delivering its first budget this fall, all eyes will be on whether the promised savings materialize — and at what human cost. With a faltering labour market and rising job insecurity, many fear that the government’s belt-tightening could become a drag on recovery rather than a path to stability.

The result of the current rise in unemployment, a potential Bank of Canada rate cut if the job slump continues, along with reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and strained public services is that the already slow economic growth for the country could actually fall below the 1.6% pace projected for 2025.

Bottom line

As Ottawa moves forward with fiscal downsizing, Canada’s labour market shows signs of distress: unemployment nearing 7%, public‑service downsizing, and youth unemployment spiking. The financial toll could extend far beyond federal offices — pressuring domestic demand, inflation, and the broader economy.