Pests reported at federal buildings hundreds of times amid push to return in office

Insects, bats, rodents and other pests have been spotted in federal buildings more than 500 times in the Ottawa area this year, as the government makes plans to get public servants to spend more time in the office.

Amber Sabourin, a spokesperson for Public Services and Procurement Canada, said there were 549 confirmed reports of pests in 93 Crown-owned buildings in the National Capital Region between April 1 and Nov. 24.