The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - the federal government's pork-barreling shop that hands out corporate welfare to the Maritimes - announced $15.2 million in budget cuts, including the elimination of 42 positions. ACOA should not exist, but any concrete cut to its bloated budget is welcome news.
Of course, the federal government's gold-plated severance packages include 120 days notice, along with up to one year's pay for staff with 16 or more years on the job. During the year, the affected staff get first crack at other government jobs, so it's not entirely clear if any of the 42 employees affected will actually end up not working for the government. We may know sometime in 2013.
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
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