Question Period Note: Federal building management during COVID-19

A large proportion of the public service continues to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices remain open to ensure the delivery of essential government functions and many clients’ preparations for eventual return to the workplace are ongoing, guided by regional public health agencies.

Note: Questions on employees returning to the workplace should be responded to by the President of the Treasury Board, as the employer.

• Public Services and Procurement Canada is committed to providing healthy and productive work environments in line with the latest public health guidance and global best practices in property management
  • Although occupancy levels are currently reduced, Public Services and Procurement Canada buildings remain operational and all mandatory maintenance and life safety system testing continue on our regular schedule ensuring that essential government functions can be delivered in a safe environment
  • COVID-19 protocols remain in place which include:
  • Augmented national cleaning specifications
  • Flushing of building water systems for continued water potability
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning measures to increase outdoor air and maximize filtration continue
  • Specialized disinfection protocols for all suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in assets

If pressed on return to work:

• New guidance from Public Service Occupational Health Program allows for easing of certain restrictions in federal workspaces
• To adapt to new working realities, Public Services and Procurement Canada is working with departments and agencies to modernize office spaces so they maximize flexibility and position the Government of Canada as an employer of choice

Mandatory Vaccinations

In alignment with the federal public servants mandate, all supplier personnel (including subcontractor personnel and private sector landlord personnel) who access federal government workplaces and commercial tenants operating inside secure areas are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement entered into effect on November 15, 2021.

Publicly accessible space does not fall under the requirements of the vaccination policy.

In leased assets, the policy is applicable to federal workspace only.

Public Service Occupational Health Program (PSOHP)

New guidance was issued by PSOHP on November 10, 2021 to support federal departments and agencies in increasing occupancy and planning for the re-entry of their employees into their workplaces. Guidance includes:

• building occupancy can be gradually increased, potentially up to full occupancy, based on operational requirements, appropriate use of workplace preventive practices, building layout, and local public health considerations while maintaining the flexibility to adjust should transmission rates increase
• non-medical masks will continue to be worn indoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, as well as in meetings, elevators and washrooms; and
• restrictions on elevators, hallways, washrooms and common spaces, such as showers and kitchens, can be relaxed
• No immediate changes are expected for PSPC’s existing COVID-19 protocols
• PSPC and service providers will be working with each building’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) committees to develop an approach, representative of and acceptable to all occupants, for the loosening of restrictions (i.e. removal of elevator capacity restrictions, changes to traffic flow, etc.)

Cleaning costs

Base building cleaning costs have increased throughout the pandemic due to augmented cleaning protocols, seeing an increase of about 15% in the crown-owned portfolio. These costs remain manageable within existing budgets due to lower occupancies, however, as the gradual return to the workplace progresses, base building cleaning costs are expected to increase further if current cleaning levels remain.

Utility costs

While reduced occupancies may suggest lower utility costs, the reality is that utility costs have remained stable when compared to pre-pandemic values due to:

• buildings remaining open and maintenance continuing on normal schedules
• water flushing being performed to reduce risk of stagnation and bacteria growth
• increased HVAC protocols to promote occupant wellness including increasing outdoor air, filtration levels, and hours of operation, thus impacting energy consumption savings opportunities
• reduced occupancy translates into reduced electrical consumption for personal computers, but that also means that the building loses internal heat gains from occupants and equipment during the heating season

Next steps

The department continues its engagement with central agencies, clients, industry and bargaining agents to collaborate on guidance to advance procedures for the easing of restrictions and planning a safe return to the workplace.

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