MP Questions Government on $18M+ Spending for Return-to-Office Policy

Federal government departments are spending over $18 million to accommodate increased in-office work, which requires employees to be on-site four days a week. This spending is being undertaken by various federal organizations, including Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Heather McPherson stated that the government had not conducted adequate research to support the claim that the return-to-office policy was cost-effective.

The questioned policy involves large-scale operational costs being absorbed by federal organizations. The spending is being made to reconfigure or acquire office space to meet the increased in-person work requirements.