Public service unions are expressing concerns about the presence of pests in federal buildings throughout the National Capital Region, highlighting ongoing issues with workplace conditions as employees are being encouraged to return to offices. According to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), there have been 549 confirmed reports of pests in 93 Crown-owned buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau between April 1 and Nov. 24. These pests range from ants, bats, bedbugs, bees/wasps, birds, mice/rodents, to various small insects.
Sean O’Reilly, the president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), stated that these figures align with the feedback received from union members. He emphasized the significance of the situation, with 500 reports over eight months indicating a substantial issue within federal workplaces. O’Reilly expressed dissatisfaction with the response from the employer, noting that members have reported instances such as dead mice in kitchenettes and bedbugs in offices, leading to temporary closures for fumigation.
The conditions described by O’Reilly are affecting the employees’ ability to perform their duties efficiently. He highlighted the impact of substandard and potentially unsafe office environments on productivity and service delivery to Canadians. PSPC responded by stating that while pests are common in commercial real estate, the reported incidents are isolated and not considered an outbreak. The agency assured that pest management programs are integrated into building operations, and reports are promptly addressed.
Alex Silas, the national executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the prevalence of pest issues in federal office buildings in the National Capital Region and across the country. He stressed the need for improved conditions, especially as the government encourages more in-office work. Silas urged for a resolution to the broader infrastructure challenges faced by federal offices in the region, citing a significant percentage of worksites requiring renovations.
Both unions emphasized the importance of employees utilizing workplace health and safety processes to address future pest concerns effectively.
