The federal government is considering reallocating 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 from July 6. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) mentioned in a statement that potential options include reallocating these spaces to federal agencies to address their requirements. Co-working sites are shared office spaces utilized by employees from various federal departments to facilitate reduced travel time during on-site work days. Across the country, 12 co-working sites are utilized by 15,000 public servants from 53 departments, encompassing 337 workstations. These shared workspaces are situated in the National Capital Region, Toronto, Vancouver, Charlottetown, Laval, Moncton, and Dartmouth.
The demand for co-working spaces remains robust, with most spaces requiring reservations and some operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Public servants in Orléans sometimes queue for nearly an hour in hopes of securing a desk, reflecting an average occupancy rate of 61% according to PSPC. The move to reserve co-working spaces for select federal employees while excluding others has drawn criticism from union representatives like Alex Silas and Sean O’Reilly, who believe that prioritizing teleworking is a more sustainable solution.
While Global Affairs Canada has postponed the four-day office return for most public servants due to space constraints, other departments are exploring solutions. The Department of National Defence and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada are addressing space limitations, with ongoing planning at Justice Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Canadian Heritage. Various departments, including Statistics Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada, are collaborating with PSPC to ensure compliance with the office attendance requirements. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has already made arrangements to accommodate employees for the required number of office days.