Federal Government Announces Closure of Gatineau Co-Working Space
The federal government has confirmed plans to close its co-working facility located at 480 Boulevard de la Cité in Gatineau this summer. The closure, scheduled for June 12, 2026, coincides with the expiration of the current lease agreement for the property.
Five Other Locations Receive Extension
While the Gatineau location will shutter, five other co-working sites across the National Capital Region will remain operational. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the government's property management department, has extended the multi-year pilot project at these locations for an additional six months.
The following sites will continue to operate normally during the extension period:
- 110 Place d'Orléans, Ottawa
- 555 Legget Drive, Ottawa
- 171 Bank Street (L'Esplanale Laurier), Ottawa
- 140 Place du Portage, Gatineau
- 335 River Road, Ottawa
Nicole Allen, a spokesperson for PSPC, stated that "no decisions have been made regarding operations beyond the extension period" and that the department continues to keep users and client organizations informed as more information becomes available.
Background and Program Evolution
The GCcoworking initiative was originally established in 2019 to support the hybrid work model being adopted by the federal government at that time. Most locations opened that year, with the exception of the 140 Promenade du Portage site in Gatineau, which officially welcomed public servants in June 2023.
The program was designed as an "innovative multi-year pilot project" providing alternative work locations for government employees. According to reports, the spaces have been well-utilized, with many public servants reportedly waiting extended periods each morning to secure spots in suburban co-working locations rather than commuting downtown.
Recent Developments and Contract Changes
The extension of the GCcoworking program comes as PSPC adjusts its office space strategy following a mandate requiring most federal public servants to return to the office four days per week beginning in July. The co-working initiative was initially set to expire at the end of March, but the extension pushes that deadline back to the fall.
This decision follows previous expansion efforts that were subsequently scaled back. In 2022, PSPC awarded a $13.8 million contract to private company LAUFT Inc. to build additional co-working spaces in the region. The company opened a Gatineau location in March 2024, but the government terminated the contract after just six months of operation.
Rumors about the impending closure of the Boulevard de la Cité location had circulated on social media since last week, with PSPC confirming the decision in an email to media outlets on Tuesday, March 17.
