The Privy Council Office (PCO) spent millions of taxpayer dollars outsourcing work already being handled by hundreds of federal employees, according to a new report from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The federation says access-to-information records show the PCO spent $17.4 million on professional services in 2025, including $5.8 million on communications, marketing, financial and strategy consulting. That spending came despite the department already employing roughly 320 staff in similar roles. The PCO, which supports the prime minister and cabinet, reportedly spends about $40 million annually on in-house employees performing communications, marketing, and research functions.

The report also highlighted $641,400 spent on audiovisual consulting, even though the department already maintains an in-house multimedia team costing nearly $1 million annually. Additional expenses included furniture, hotel accommodations, and a range of smaller contracts that have drawn criticism over their necessity.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation argues the spending raises serious questions about duplication and government efficiency, particularly after Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to reduce Ottawa's reliance on outside consultants during the recent federal election campaign.

The federation notes federal spending on professional and special services has climbed sharply over the past decade, both at the PCO and across government. It contends taxpayers are increasingly being asked to fund both a growing public service and an expanding roster of external consultants.