Ottawa is at the centre of a growing federal workspace crunch, as new government analysis reveals the current stock of office buildings may not be enough to accommodate a four-day return-to-office mandate for the public service.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) — the federal department responsible for managing government real estate — says it is considering "potentially acquiring additional space" in areas where existing facilities can't meet demand. The admission signals that the push to get federal workers back at their desks five days a week isn't just a culture shift: it's a serious infrastructure challenge.
What the Analysis Found
The internal government review found that in certain locations, the current portfolio of federally owned and leased buildings simply doesn't have the capacity to seat all employees simultaneously for four days a week. While the public service has operated on a hybrid model for much of the post-pandemic period — typically two to three days in-office — a shift to four days would significantly increase daily occupancy demands.
PSPC says it is assessing where gaps exist and exploring options to fill them, which could include leasing additional private sector office space or repurposing existing government-owned properties.
Ottawa's Unique Role
Given that Ottawa is home to the largest concentration of federal public servants in Canada, the capital stands to feel the impact of this policy more than anywhere else. Tens of thousands of government workers commute daily into the National Capital Region, and a four-day mandate could dramatically change rush-hour patterns, downtown foot traffic, and demand for office infrastructure across the core and Gatineau.
The potential need for additional space also raises questions about cost. Federal office leases in Ottawa's downtown are among the most expensive in the portfolio, and acquiring new space in a tight commercial real estate market is no small undertaking.
The Broader Return-to-Office Debate
The federal government's push to increase in-office days has been one of the most debated workplace policies in recent years. Public sector unions have pushed back strongly, arguing that hybrid work has proven effective and that forcing a return to the office without adequate space or justification undermines employee morale and productivity.
At the same time, Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and business groups have repeatedly called on the federal government to get workers back downtown, citing the economic impact of reduced foot traffic on local restaurants, shops, and services.
The analysis by PSPC adds a new wrinkle to that debate: the government itself may not be ready for what it's mandating. If the infrastructure isn't there to support a four-day week, it raises the question of whether the policy is practical in its current form — or whether it will require significant public investment to execute.
What's Next
PSPC has not announced any specific leases or acquisitions yet, and a timeline for any decisions remains unclear. The department says it is continuing to assess its real estate needs as planning for the expanded return-to-office policy moves forward.
For Ottawa workers and commuters, the situation is worth watching closely. Whether the government ultimately finds the space it needs — or scales back its ambitions — will shape the daily rhythms of the capital for years to come.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
