In July, Mark Carney made it clear to public workers that there would be a tightening of the belt. Ministers were told to save 15% from their departmental budgets over the next three years. The deadline to do so is next week, August 28th. 

What that looks like in practice is pretty bleak. By 2028, it has been estimated that over 57,000 full-time equivalent workers will be laid off. Who will be laid off? And is this type of austerity bad governance?

Meanwhile, in Ontario, Doug Ford is mandating a return to office for all workers, five days a week, come January 2026. Who will this affect?

Host San Grewal and reporter Stacy Thomas break it down.

Host: San Grewal

Credits: Tristan Capacchione (Producer), Lucie Laumonier (Associate Producer and Fact Checking), tom sayers (Audio Editor), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor)

Guest: Stacy Thomas

Photo: Creative edit by Tristan Capacchione, with photos from Gage Skidmore and Simon Dawson

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