The Union of National Defence Employees is demanding a comprehensive air quality and mould assessment at the Carling Campus in Ottawa. While some remediation has begun, staff report systemic humidity issues that threaten the health of thousands of federal workers.
Three of eleven buildings remediated at 60 Moodie Drive
According to the report, remediation efforts to combat mould contamination have been completed or are currently underway in only three of the eleven buildings at the National Defence's Carling Campus. This facility,located at 60 Moodie Drive in Ottawa, is designed to house between 9,300 and 9,400 defence employees across a variety of offices, laboratories, and housing units.
The Union of National Defence Employees notes that mould has been identified in at least three specific locations. While government teams have engaged in decontamination and moisture mitigation to stabilize these areas, the union argues that treating a small fraction of the campus is insufficient to protect the nearly 9,400 personnel stationed there.
A six-year struggle with 'stale air' and damp walls
Occupants of the Carling Campus have reported persistent moisture problems, including condensation on surfaces and damp walls, dating back to at least 2018. Staff and contractors have described the indoor air quality as "stale" or "off-smelling," prompting the union to call for an exhastive assessment of the entire site's humidity and moisture levels.
This dispute is part of a broader national conversation regarding occupational health and safety standards within Canadian federal facilities. The situation at 60 Moodie Drive echoes a recurring tension in government infrastructure,where the perceived risk to frontline staff often clashes with the pace of administrative responses and long-term maintenance investments .
HVAC upgrades and air-suspension testing as the ministry's fix
The National Defence ministry has responded by contracting specialized firms to seal and remediate affected areas, as the report says. To ensure mould spores are not remaining airborne, the ministry intends to conduct air-suspension testing throughout each building and upgrade HVAC units with higher-efficiency filters.
Furthermore , the environmental authority of the defence ministry claims that the construction of an integrated moisture-control system is already underway. However , the Union of National Defence Employees maintains that these tactics are reactive rather than preventive, advocating instead for permanent maintenance protocols and visible enforcement of moisture standards.
The missing independent audit for 9,400 personnel
Despite the ministry's ongoing work, several critical questions remain unanswered. It is still unclear whetther the government will grant the union's request for an independent audit to verify the completeness of the remedial work, or if the ministry will rely solely on its own contracted firms. Additionally, the report does not specify the exact timeline for the remaining eight buildings, only noting that the next round of assessments is expected in 2025.
Until these gaps are addressed, the Union of National Defence Employees has advised personnel and contractors to use personal protective equipment in high-risk areas. The resolution of this conflict depends on whether the defence ministry moves beyond temporary fixes to implement a comprehensive corrective strategy that prevents mould resurgence across the full spectrum of the Carling Campus.
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