The premium wages and generous benefits Canadian public servants enjoy compared to the private sector is one area where governments could look to reduce costs following the recession, according a study conducted by the Fraser Institute. .“At a time when governments across Canada are facing serious fiscal pressures as a result of the recession, bringing government sector compensation in line with the private sector would help reduce costs without necessarily affecting services,” said Fraser Institute senior fellow Ben Eisen in a Tuesday press release. .The study said government employees across Canada were paid 31.3% higher wages on average than private sector workers in 2021. .Even after adjusting for differences such as age, gender, education, tenure, type of work, industry, and occupation, government employees were paid 8.5% higher wages. .Wages are one part of overall compensation. Canadian government workers enjoy more generous non-wage benefits. .The study said 86.6% of government workers were covered by a registered pension plan in 2021 compared to 22.9% in the private sector. Of all workers covered, it said 90.6% of public servants enjoyed defined-benefit pension plans, compared to 39.9% among the private sector. .Public sector workers retired 2.4 years earlier on average than Canada’s private sector employees. .The study went on to say government workers were absent from their jobs for personal reasons more often than the private sector — 14.9 days compared to 9.8 days. Public sector employees were about five times less likely to experience job loss than those in the private sector — 1% compared to 4.8%. .“All levels of government in Canada — municipal, provincial, and federal — must find ways to reduce costs following the unprecedented spending and borrowing we’ve seen recently,” said Eisen. .“Closing the compensation gap between the government and private sectors would reduce costs and help governments move towards balancing their budgets.”.The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) said Sunday it's wrong for the Canadian government workers who want to go on strike to demand extra perks. .READ MORE: Federal union demands 47% wage increase, ‘social justice fund’.“Canadians can’t afford to keep paying more and more and more,” said CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano. .“The federal government has to draw a line and say no to out-of-touch union demands.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
The premium wages and generous benefits Canadian public servants enjoy compared to the private sector is one area where governments could look to reduce costs following the recession, according a study conducted by the Fraser Institute. .“At a time when governments across Canada are facing serious fiscal pressures as a result of the recession, bringing government sector compensation in line with the private sector would help reduce costs without necessarily affecting services,” said Fraser Institute senior fellow Ben Eisen in a Tuesday press release. .The study said government employees across Canada were paid 31.3% higher wages on average than private sector workers in 2021. .Even after adjusting for differences such as age, gender, education, tenure, type of work, industry, and occupation, government employees were paid 8.5% higher wages. .Wages are one part of overall compensation. Canadian government workers enjoy more generous non-wage benefits. .The study said 86.6% of government workers were covered by a registered pension plan in 2021 compared to 22.9% in the private sector. Of all workers covered, it said 90.6% of public servants enjoyed defined-benefit pension plans, compared to 39.9% among the private sector. .Public sector workers retired 2.4 years earlier on average than Canada’s private sector employees. .The study went on to say government workers were absent from their jobs for personal reasons more often than the private sector — 14.9 days compared to 9.8 days. Public sector employees were about five times less likely to experience job loss than those in the private sector — 1% compared to 4.8%. .“All levels of government in Canada — municipal, provincial, and federal — must find ways to reduce costs following the unprecedented spending and borrowing we’ve seen recently,” said Eisen. .“Closing the compensation gap between the government and private sectors would reduce costs and help governments move towards balancing their budgets.”.The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) said Sunday it's wrong for the Canadian government workers who want to go on strike to demand extra perks. .READ MORE: Federal union demands 47% wage increase, ‘social justice fund’.“Canadians can’t afford to keep paying more and more and more,” said CTF Federal Director Franco Terrazzano. .“The federal government has to draw a line and say no to out-of-touch union demands.”.This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
