Friday, May 15, 2026
ADVT 
National

Several federal departments short of space as public servants return to the office

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 May, 2026 10:36 AM
  • Several federal departments short of space as public servants return to the office

Several federal departments have delayed or are considering delaying having their staff to return to the office four days a week this summer due to a lack of space.

Treasury Board announced earlier this year that public service executives are expected to work on-site five days per week starting May 4, and all other federal employees must be in the office four days a week starting July 6.

But Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a message to staff last week that it's delaying the requirement until it finds more office space.

For now, the department says, only managers will have to be on site four days a week as of July, while other employees are being asked to keep the existing schedule of being in the office three days per week.

Global Affairs Canada announced a similar plan last month to accommodate a multi-year renovation project.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is actively seeking to lease more office space to implement the federal government’s rules, as it doesn't have enough room in most of its locations.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver Lapu Lapu festival set for April 19, a year after deadly attack

Vancouver Lapu Lapu festival set for April 19, a year after deadly attack
Filipino BC has announced that it will host its annual Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 19 to "reflect on shared healing" a year after a vehicle ramming attack at the last festival killed 11 people. 

Vancouver Lapu Lapu festival set for April 19, a year after deadly attack

Details of federal spending review to be released in 'coming days'

Details of federal spending review to be released in 'coming days'
Canadians are expected to learn soon which programs will be affected by the federal government's cost-cutting review.

Details of federal spending review to be released in 'coming days'

Canada not a target for Trump administration's new tariff investigations

Canada not a target for Trump administration's new tariff investigations
The Trump administration launched trade investigations of multiple countries Wednesday in an attempt to solidify the president's tariff policies after the Supreme Court struck down his previous efforts to realign global trade.

Canada not a target for Trump administration's new tariff investigations

Darpan 10 with Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance, British Columbia

Darpan 10 with Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance, British Columbia
Global uncertainty is slowing growth everywhere. High costs, global instability, and volatile commodity prices are putting pressure on public finances. To protect public services people rely on, we are increasing the rate of the first income tax bracket by less than 0.6 percentage points —5.06% to 5.60%.

Darpan 10 with Brenda Bailey, Minister of Finance, British Columbia

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes
A weeks-long trial of three men accused of murdering an Abbotsford, B.C., couple came to a close in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday, with defence lawyers painting a picture of a robbery gone wrong leading to the killings, rather than a premeditated case of first-degree murder. 

B.C. killings due to 'botched robbery,' defence lawyer says, as murder trial closes

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders
The federal Conservatives are pushing to allow Canada Post to ship alcohol between provinces, saying the Liberals have failed to live up to their pledge to remove interprovincial trade barriers.

Conservatives seek to remove barriers to alcohol shipments across provincial borders