CRTC criticized for offering assigned office space as fundraiser prize

The CRTC offered assigned seating in the office as a prize for staff who donated to a charity fundraiser, drawing criticism the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) whose president called it "completely out of touch."

The federal telecommunications and broadcasting regulator offered one month in a closed office or one week in the secretary general's office as prizes for the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). 

The offer was made in an internal memo earlier this month promoting the annual GCWCC Giving Day on Oct. 17, when workers were also offered the chance to cut their director's necktie in return for a donation. 

When did an adequate workstation become a hot commodity to win?- Sharon DeSousa, PSAC

Sharon DeSousa, PSAC's national president, said offering assigned seating as a prize was "appalling," particularly when federal public servants have been mandated back to offices that sometimes lack enough workspace.

"When did an adequate workstation become a hot commodity to win?" she asked. "They are, in fact, asking people to donate in order to have the resources they need to be productive."

DeSousa said CRTC staff were also upset by the offer.

"They are appalled," she said, saying morale was already low due the recent mandate. "It tells me that the government is completely out of touch with its workers."

PSAC, Canada's largest federal public sector union, opposes the directive for its members to return to the office three days a week. In a court challenge last month, PSAC called the policy "arbitrary," arguing the government made it without showing its necessity.

'A great idea to raise funds'

A CRTC spokesperson defended the fundraiser generally without responding directly to the criticism. 

"The Government of Canada's Workplace Charity Campaign is the largest charitable campaign in the country ... through their voluntary contributions and charitable actions, CRTC employees help make a difference and have positive impacts in their communities," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"Employee groups have planned various activities for all staff to encourage participation in the 2024 campaign."

The GCWCC raised $28.9 million from federal workers and retirees in 2023.

A spokesperson for United Way Centraide Canada, one of the recipients of GCWCC funds, said it was unaware of CRTC's initiative, as each workplace arranged its own fundraising campaign.

"We do not intervene in the proposal and creation of these initiatives," the spokesperson said. 

Opinions vary

CRTC staff approached by CBC outside their office in Gatineau, Que., on Friday said they were not authorized to speak to the media, though one said they were broadly happy with the return-to-office mandate and had not experienced serious problems with assigned office space. 

Other federal workers who spoke to CBC in Ottawa were divided on the notion of offering assigned office space as a prize. 

"I think it's ridiculous. We shouldn't have to participate in such a thing to have access to a place of our own to work," said Jessica Poirier Boudreau.

But not everyone was critical of the initiative.

"I think it's a great idea to raise funds," said Chris Morrissy. "We could auction off a parking spot, that might be more popular the way things are going."