So it’s just funding was set to renew in the next two years and there’s no updated budget yet. So there’s uncertainty.

That’s really not a cut though.

The 2025-26 document for the department, known as WAGE, was released in late June and outlines a $407-million budget this year, which drops to $284.7-million in 2026-27, and $76.3-million in 2027-28.

This is what is currently known, and is all we have to go on. Without any confirmation of plans to renew the funding, it is reasonable to worry that it will expire.

Call it non-renewal or call it a cut, either way, funding is set to be dramatically lower unless something changes. Departments need clarity if they hope to hire people or commit to providing services.

Yes, I just think it’s early to panic

Perhaps that’s why the alarm is being raised ahead of the point where panic is the right response: it forces the government to clarify its intent now, so the department and its programs aren’t thrown into complete chaos later