Ottawa's Department of National Defence (DND) workers are frustrated, and the source of that frustration is something many commuters know all too well: nowhere to park.
Employees at the DND's sprawling Carling campus in Ottawa's west end say the parking situation there has deteriorated to the point where it's become a genuine daily obstacle — and with a federal return-to-office mandate looming that will require staff to be in the office at least four days a week starting in July, they're demanding action now.
A Problem That's Only Going to Get Worse
Right now, many DND employees work a hybrid schedule, meaning the parking lot doesn't hit maximum strain every single day. But come July, that changes. With the majority of staff expected on-site nearly every weekday, the existing parking infrastructure simply won't be able to absorb the volume.
Workers say the issue isn't just inconvenient — it's becoming a source of real stress. People are arriving earlier than necessary just to secure a spot, or spending time circling and scrambling before their shifts even begin. For a workforce already navigating a major shift back to in-person work, it's an added burden nobody needs.
What Employees Are Asking For
Staff at Carling aren't just complaining — they're calling on DND leadership to come up with concrete solutions before the July deadline hits. Among the concerns being raised: whether there are plans to expand parking capacity, improve transit access to the campus, or provide some form of shuttle or transportation subsidy to offset the squeeze.
The Carling campus is located in Ottawa's west end, an area that, while served by OC Transpo, isn't the easiest to reach by transit for employees coming from across the city or surrounding communities like Kanata, Stittsville, or Barrhaven. For workers who rely on a car, the parking lot is the only realistic option — which makes the shortage feel especially acute.
A Wider Federal Return-to-Office Story
This situation at Carling is part of a broader national conversation about the federal government's push to bring public servants back to the office. The federal return-to-office policy has been met with mixed reactions across departments, with unions and employee groups raising concerns about everything from childcare logistics to commute costs.
Parking — unglamorous as it sounds — is turning out to be one of the most tangible, day-to-day friction points in that transition. It's the kind of operational detail that can quietly undermine morale if it isn't addressed.
The Clock Is Ticking
With July approaching fast, DND employees say time is running out. They want a plan — not a vague promise — before the four-day requirement kicks in and the Carling lot becomes a daily bottleneck.
Whether DND leadership responds with expanded infrastructure, transit incentives, or a phased approach to the return schedule remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Ottawa's federal workers are watching closely, and they're not willing to let the parking problem get buried under bureaucratic timelines.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Joseph Tunney
