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.

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