Public service unions are expressing concerns over reports of pests infesting federal buildings in the National Capital Region, highlighting ongoing issues with workplace conditions as employees face pressure to return to offices. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) disclosed to CBC News that from April 1 to Nov. 24, there were 549 confirmed reports of pests in 93 government-owned buildings in Ottawa-Gatineau. The pests identified include ants, bats, bedbugs, bees/wasps, birds, mice/rodents, and various small insects.
Sean O’Reilly, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), remarked that the reported figures align with the feedback received from union members. He emphasized the significance of the situation, stating that the high number of reports over eight months indicates a substantial issue within federal workplaces. O’Reilly noted instances of dead mice in kitchen areas and bedbugs in offices, leading to temporary closures for fumigation to address infestations, affecting employees’ work environment and productivity.
PSPC clarified that while pests are common in commercial real estate, the reported incidents are considered isolated and not indicative of an outbreak. The agency assured that it takes pest reports seriously, incorporating pest management programs into building operations and promptly investigating all reports.
Alex Silas, national executive vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), echoed similar sentiments, describing the prevalence of pest issues in federal office buildings across the National Capital Region and the country. Silas highlighted the health and safety concerns raised by workers finding mouse droppings and bedbugs in their workspaces, emphasizing the need for suitable working conditions, especially as the government pushes for increased in-office work.
Both unions emphasized the importance of employees utilizing workplace health and safety channels to address future pest concerns, underscoring the necessity for improved conditions and infrastructure in federal offices to ensure a safe and productive work environment for all staff.