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Ottawa Public Servants Brace for Major Job Cut Announcements in the New Year

  Federal Workers Await January Notices as Ottawa Prepares Job Cuts Federal public servants across Canada are bracing for a wave of job‑cut announcements expected to begin in January, as departments prepare to roll out the government’s latest cost‑cutting measures. Several federal organizations have already warned employees that details about workforce reductions will be shared early in the new year. The cuts stem from a government‑wide plan to reduce spending, streamline operations, and bring the public service back to what officials describe as a more sustainable size. Departments are expected to use a mix of attrition, restructuring, and workforce adjustments to meet their targets. Early notices have already begun circulating in some organizations, with more formal announcements anticipated once employees return from the holiday break. Unions representing federal workers say they are preparing for a period of uncertainty as the scope of the reductions becomes clearer. With ...

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Liberals' GST Break Expected to Pass Today

 

Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today in the House of Commons. The bill, introduced by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, aims to provide temporary relief to Canadians by eliminating the GST on a variety of holiday essentials from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025. 

The GST holiday will cover items such as children's clothes and toys, video games and consoles, Christmas trees, restaurant and catered meals, wine, beer, candy, and snacks. The government estimates that a family spending $2,000 on these items could save between $100 and $260, depending on the province.

The NDP has agreed to support the bill after Freeland separated the GST break from a proposed $250 rebate for working Canadians, which the NDP wants expanded to include non-working seniors and people with disabilities. The bill is expected to pass with the help of the NDP, despite opposition from the Conservatives, who have criticized the GST break as a "cheap gimmick".



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