Federal cuts leave 12 National Research Council scientists jobless

Twelve scientists at the National Research Council facility in downtown Winnipeg are the latest victims of federal budget cuts.

Bernard Holbrook, president of the Research Council Employees’ union, confirmed six of the workers were members of the union while the other six are members of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.

He said the affected employees were working on medical devices in research and technical positions.

“It’s a mix of engineers, there’s a mix of sensors and cognitive motor functions in Winnipeg. Health is a big part of the provincial budget, so it is very unfortunate. Quite often when you develop medical devices, they either give greater function, to the person who is using them, or they add a better detection of disease.”

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Thousands of federal public service workers received notices last month that their jobs may be cut.

“The Carney government has decided they want to cut spending in the public service,” said Holbrook. “It’s kind of unfortunate because when you cut spending, and you cut resources, it also impedes our ability to be able to provide high quality functions for the Canadian people.”