Canada’s federal bureaucracy has expanded sharply over the past decade, raising questions about efficiency and fiscal responsibility. The growth has outpaced population increases, prompting calls for tighter control of public service expansion.
If public service growth had mirrored population growth, the country could have saved approximately $7 billion over ten years. The analysis highlights the potential for significant fiscal savings through more restrained workforce expansion.
Current data show the federal workforce has grown 33% since 2016, bringing the total to around 86,300 employees. This increase occurs despite a slight decline in headcount during the most recent year.
Certain departments have experienced the most dramatic increases. Infrastructure Canada grew by 376%, while Women and Gender Equality Canada grew by 301% over the same period.
Other agencies with high growth include the RCMP External Review Committee (214%), the Financial Consumer Agency (174%), Elections Canada (154%), the Immigration and Refugee Board (150%), and the Impact Assessment Agency (116%).
The average annual salary for a federal employee is about $161,900. Total compensation for full‑time employees reached $143,271 last year, marking a second consecutive year of high growth per employee.
Total bureaucratic spending rose from $39.6 billion in 2015‑16 to $71.4 billion in 2024‑25, an increase of 80% over ten years. The forecast for the current fiscal year is $79.4 billion.
