The federal government co-working space at 480 Boulevard de la Cité in Gatineau is closing its doors this Friday, June 12, as its lease comes to an end. The announcement was made by Nicole Allen, spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
This site was part of the government's multi-year "GCcoworking" pilot project, which provided flexible workspaces for public servants from over 50 government organizations. After the closure, 12 other locations across Canada will remain operational, including five in the National Capital Region.
Extension and Future Plans
The overall pilot project was originally set to expire at the end of March but was extended by PSPC until this fall. "No decisions have been made regarding operations beyond the extension period," Allen told the Ottawa Citizen in March. "PSPC continues to keep users and our client organizations informed as more information becomes available."
Remaining Sites in Ottawa-Gatineau
During the extension, the following sites will continue to operate normally:
- 110 Place d'Orléans, Ottawa
- 555 Legget Dr., Ottawa
- 171 Bank St. (L'Esplanade Laurier), Ottawa
- 140 Place du Portage, Gatineau
- 335 River Rd., Ottawa
Most of these locations opened in 2019 to support the government's hybrid work model.
Return-to-Office Context
The closure comes as federal departments prepare to bring public servants back to the office four days per week starting July 6. However, several large organizations are staggering their return due to space constraints. CBC previously reported that PSPC was exploring options to accommodate the directive, including reallocating co-working spaces to departments with limited space.
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