Ottawa and Gatineau's federal workforce is facing yet another workplace shakeup — a popular coworking space used by public servants in Gatineau, Quebec, is closing its doors next month, arriving at one of the worst possible times.
The closure comes just ahead of a major federal return-to-office push. Starting July 6, public servants across the National Capital Region will be required to work in person four days a week, up from the current hybrid arrangements many have grown accustomed to since the pandemic. For workers who relied on the Gatineau coworking hub as a flexible in-between option — closer to home than a downtown Ottawa office, but still a professional setting — the timing stings.
A Lifeline for Gatineau-Side Workers
For many federal employees who live on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, coworking spaces have been a practical solution. Rather than commuting into central Ottawa every day, workers could log in from a shared workspace closer to home — saving time, reducing transit costs, and maintaining some work-life balance.
The Gatineau coworking space had become a go-to option for exactly that crowd. It offered the infrastructure of a proper office without the full commute, and for workers managing childcare, caregiving, or long bus rides across the Portage Bridge, it made a real difference.
Closing Right Before the Big Mandate
Now, with that resource disappearing and the four-day in-person rule looming, some public servants are left scrambling. The federal government's return-to-office directive has already sparked pushback from unions, who argue that rigid attendance rules don't account for individual circumstances or the real productivity gains of flexible work.
The loss of coworking infrastructure only sharpens those concerns. If the goal is to get workers into an in-person environment four days a week, closing down spaces that made that easier — especially on the Gatineau side — seems counterproductive to many of the people affected.
What Comes Next
It's not yet clear whether any alternative spaces will open to fill the gap, or whether affected workers will simply be expected to report to their assigned departmental offices in Ottawa or Gatineau regardless of distance or logistics.
The federal government has faced ongoing criticism over how it's managing the return-to-office rollout, with many workers saying they received little guidance on specifics and felt the policy was handed down without adequate consultation. The coworking closure adds another layer of frustration to an already tense transition.
For now, workers who relied on the space are weighing their options — some looking at private coworking memberships, others resigning themselves to the longer commute. With July 6 fast approaching, the clock is ticking.
Source: CBC Ottawa. Original report by Priscilla Ki Sun Hwang.
