BC Public Service Layoffs: What’s Happening, Who’s Affected & Severance Rights

The Government of British Columbia is planning to eliminate approximately 15,000 public sector jobs over the next 3 years — affecting around 2,500 full-time equivalent employees in the BC Public Service.

“These reductions will be achieved largely through attrition and voluntary departures,” the province stated in Budget 2026.

“Additional measures, such as early retirement and voluntary severance incentives, may be used to help support the transition to a smaller, more efficient public service.”

• SEE ALSO: Layoff Notices Issued to 15,000+ Federal Public Servants to Start 2026

This page explains:

• What’s happening with BC Public Service layoffs
• Who’s most affected
• Whether BC Public Service layoffs are permanent
• How much severance employees with the BC Public Service may be owed
• What to do before signing a severance offer

Who’s Affected by the Latest Round of Layoffs?

The BC government claims that the workforce reduction will be primarily focused on executive positions — specifically Crown corporations and the health sector.

The BC Public Service is provincially regulated — meaning most non-unionized employees are governed provincial employment standards, not the Canada Labour Code.

Is a BC Public Service Layoff Temporary or Permanent?

For non-unionized employees at the BC Public Service, a layoff is almost always treated as a termination without cause, even if the following language is used:

• “Restructuring”
• “Reorganization”
• “Transformation”
• “Temporary layoff”

Unless your employment contract explicitly allows for you to be temporarily laid off, then you can’t be placed on indefinite layoff without terminating your employment — meaning you must receive full severance pay.

Severance Pay for BC Public Service Staff

Non-unionized employees at the BC Public Service are often owed far more severance pay than what’s outlined in their initial offer.

Severance is based on common law entitlements, not just minimum standards. Factors include:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position and seniority
• Availability of comparable jobs

In many cases, employees could be owed up to 24 months of compensation.

Severance may include:

• Base salary
• Continued benefits
• Bonus and incentive compensation
• Stock, equity, or RRSP contributions (where applicable)
• Vacation pay
• Other earned compensation

First offers often:

• Cover only minimum entitlements
• Exclude bonuses or incentives
• Impose short signing deadlines
• Undervalue long-service or senior employees

Severance Offers: Common Problems

Canadian employees affected by layoffs frequently report issues such as:

• Severance offers far below legal entitlements
• Missing or unclear compensation breakdowns
• Benefits cut off too early
• Bonuses excluded without justification
• “Temporary layoff” language used improperly
• Pressure to sign within 24–48 hours

Wrongful Dismissal and BC Public Service Layoffs

A wrongful dismissal occurs when employers in BC fail to provide full severance required under common law.

You may have a claim if:

• Your severance offer is too low
• A termination clause isn’t enforceable
• You were pressured to accept your severance offer on the spot
• Bonuses or benefits were excluded from your severance package
• You were terminated while on medical, parental, or disability leave
• The BC Public Service labelled your termination a “temporary layoff” without contractual authority

Large-scale layoffs at the BC Public Service don’t affect your rights and entitlements.

Laid Off? Next Steps for BC Public Servants

If you’ve been laid off at the BC Public Service:

1. Don’t sign your severance offer immediately
2. Gather your employment contract, bonus plans, and benefits information
3. Use the Severance Pay Calculator to double-check your entitlements
4. Keep records of your role, compensation, and length of service
5. Speak with an employment lawyer before agreeing to anything

BC Public Service Layoffs: Frequently Asked Questions

How much severance can BC public servants receive?

Up to 24 months — depending on age, service, and position.

Are layoffs at the BC Public Service permanent?

For non-unionized employees, yes. A layoff is typically a termination.

Does the BC Public Service have to include bonuses in severance?

Often yes — especially if bonuses were a regular part of compensation.

Can BC public servants be terminated on leave?

This can raise serious wrongful dismissal and human rights issues.

Can employment lawyers represent unionized BC public servants?

No. Unionized employees at the BC Public Service must go through their union.

Lost Your Job? Get Help Now

If you’re a non-unionized BC public servant who’s been laid off, or offered a severance/buyout package, don’t do anything before seeking legal advice.

Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, one of Canada’s most reviewed employment law firms, has helped more than 50,000 Canadians secure the compensation they’re legally entitled to.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.