When programs are cut, service delays increase, backlogs grow and the system strains under reduced capacity. But politicians and citizens still expect the same results.

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A few months ago, I was one of the thousands of federal public servants in Canada dedicated to making government work — until budget cuts eliminated my position. I suddenly found myself on the other side of the system: navigating employment uncertainty in a world I once helped shape from the inside.

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It’s a jarring experience, but it has given me perspective. The public service, often criticized for its inefficiencies and red tape, is full of hardworking professionals who keep the country running in ways most Canadians never see.

If you’ve ever wondered why a simple government application can take months, it’s because every decision is a high-wire act: balancing public trust, legal scrutiny and political direction. Unlike private companies that can shift gears........

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