Execs must report to office 5 days a week starting in May
The federal government may have to line up extra office space to meet its aggressive return‑to‑office plan this summer, even after years of promising to shrink its real‑estate footprint, according to a report.
After analyzing its portfolio, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) found that the federal government will need more workstations in some locations with public servants headed back to the office four days a week in July, CBC/Radio‑Canada reported, citing a department assessment.
PSPC, which manages federal buildings, is looking to quickly find solutions, which could include renewing existing leases, optimizing underused space and acquiring extra office space if needed, spokesperson Michèle LaRose told Radio‑Canada.
But he said that public service executives will have “no difficulty” reporting to the office five days a week starting May 4, with all other employees required to work in the office four days a week starting July 6.
Where adjustments are needed, “concrete solutions will be implemented quickly and responsibly,” wrote Laurent de Casanove, director of communications for Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement Joël Lightbound, in a French‑language statement.
Union questions readiness
Union leaders say the prospect of adding space runs counter to long‑stated goals of cutting costs and space.
“As a taxpayer, it's frustrating that the government is going to go spend money signing new leases, finding new space,” said Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), which represents 80,000 public servants.
He told Radio‑Canada he would prefer talks on how to provide a flexible hybrid work environment, and said he is “fearful” that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s majority Liberal government might be more heavy-handed with some of these policy decisions.
Long‑term plan to ‘optimize’ space
In March 2025, PSPC said it will “continue to provide sufficient, functional office space to accommodate federal public service employees while it optimizes the space under its responsibility and reduces operating costs,” according to a Question Period note.
“The government of Canada’s shift to a hybrid work environment, combined with the government-wide plan to apply unassigned seating as the default, permits a more effective use of space.”
Reducing the size of the office portfolio by 50% will allow PSPC to reduce operating costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions and dispose of surplus properties for housing and other community needs, says the agency.
