Canada Launches Early Retirement for Federal Workers

OTTAWA - Eligible federal public servants in Canada can now submit applications for an early retirement incentive program, following delays tied to recent legislative approval.

The program, which permits qualifying workers to retire without facing pension reductions, officially launched Friday after the government's budget implementation bill received final passage. The bill cleared the Senate on Thursday and obtained Royal Assent, enabling the opening of an online application portal. Officials had outlined the initiative last fall as a key measure in broader efforts to reduce the size of the federal public service amid fiscal pressures.

Approximately 68,000 public servants received letters from the government detailing their potential eligibility and instructions for applying. The incentive targets employees who meet specific criteria, such as age and years of service, allowing them to exit their positions early while preserving full pension benefits. This approach aims to streamline operations and control spending without resorting to involuntary layoffs.

The rollout comes at a time when the federal workforce has grown significantly in recent years, prompting calls for...