The federal government is considering reallocating its co-working spaces to assist departments facing space shortages in meeting the mandate for unionized employees to work in the office four days a week starting on July 6. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) mentioned that various options are being explored, including reallocating these spaces to federal agencies to address their requirements. Co-working sites, shared office spaces utilized by employees from different federal departments, aim to reduce travel time on workdays. Across the country, 15,000 public servants from 53 departments utilize 12 co-working sites with a total of 337 workstations. Six of these sites are in the National Capital Region, with others in Toronto, Vancouver, Charlottetown, Laval, Moncton, and Dartmouth.
Demand for these spaces remains high, with most requiring reservations and some available on a first-come, first-served basis. The average occupancy rate is 61%, indicating the scarcity of spaces for a full return to the office, as noted by Alex Silas from the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and Sean O’Reilly from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC). Both expressed concerns over the selective allocation of co-working spaces.
Unions are urging the government to prioritize teleworking and reconsider the return-to-office plan’s next phase. While Global Affairs Canada has postponed the four-day plan due to space constraints, other departments are exploring solutions. Departments like National Defence, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, Justice Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Heritage, Statistics Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada are collaborating with PSPC to meet the office attendance requirements. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has already made arrangements to accommodate employees for the mandated office days.