Diplomats, contractors to lose jobs

OTTAWA – While Canada’s military force has emerged untouched in this year’s federal budget and reservists were provided some relief, thousands of Defence Department civilians and contractors could be on the chopping block.

At the same time, the country’s diplomatic footprint is set to shrink as the government will close embassies and other missions and end Canadian participation in a number of international organizations, while millions in foreign aid will be slashed.

As expected, National Defence is facing the largest cuts of all departments in terms of sheer numbers, at more than $1.1 billion by 2014-15. This is over and above the $1.1 billion the government already had planned to slash from the department’s $21-billion budget this coming fiscal year.

Few details were provided, but by maintaining the current level of 68,000 regular force members and 27,000 reservists, the government appears to have taken retired general Andrew Leslie’s advice to maintain the frontline force and instead cut back on the $2.7 billion spent on contractors, consultants and private-service providers.

The Defence Department also may look to sell or otherwise dispose of some of the property it holds in different parts of the country and change the way it purchases equipment.

Meanwhile, the government is planning to help offset hiring and training costs incurred by companies that employ reservists who subsequently are deployed on military operations.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Department is facing $169.8 million in cuts by 2014-15.

Foreign aid will be reduced by $377 million by 2014-15.

Veterans, meanwhile, appeared to be saved any drastic cuts.

The biggest change will be to the way housekeeping and maintenance services are provided to the 96,000 veterans, primary caregivers and survivors enrolled in the Veterans Independence Program.