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The Liberal government’s love affair with Canada’s public servants doesn’t seem to include spending money on them.

In fact, the recent federal budget has signalled that the Liberals could be as tightfisted as their Conservative predecessors with departmental business or operating expenses, of which salaries are the single biggest expense.

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Peter DeVries, a fiscal policy and public management consultant, says operating expenses haven’t changed much since the Conservative’ restraint-oriented polices such as spending freezes and the controversial proposed sick leave reform.

“It will largely be life as usual for the public service,” he said.

Last week, the giant Public Service Alliance of Canada tabled its first wage increase demand, seeking a more than nine per cent raise over three years. The Liberals haven’t made an offer since taking over the reins for collective bargaining, but the 1.5 per cent increase the Tories offered over three years is still on the table.