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5mo ago

Ontario Enforces Five-Day Office Return for Public Servants as Ford Acknowledges 'Bump'

Unions say the rushed rollout leaves thousands of accommodation requests unanswered.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford enters the Humber College station for the unveiled Finch LRT train in Toronto during the unveiling of the new LRT transit line in Toronto on Dec. 5, 2025.
Some provinces are mandating public sector employees back to work in the office five days a week. B.C, has not indicated it will do the same.
Canadian Union of Public Employees members walk along John Counter Boulevard to protest the Ontario government's return to office mandate in Kingston, Ont. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Penny Lane, a CUPE spokesperson and regional representative, takes part in a protest in London on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, on behalf of Ontario Health at Home workers required to return to the office five days a week. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Overview

  • Monday marked the first day of Ontario’s full-time in-office mandate for provincial staff, with Premier Doug Ford saying the government is finding additional workspace and will release total cost figures not yet disclosed.
  • OPSEU called the order “ridiculous and insulting” and reported roughly 10,000 alternative-work requests from members that have not received decisions.
  • CUPE organized a provincewide day of action featuring lunchtime protests by Ontario Health at Home workers who argued hybrid arrangements improved productivity and affordability.
  • Workers and unions cited limited desks, parking shortages and long commutes, and the LCBO told staff it has delayed its own return due to insufficient space.
  • Provincial approaches continue to diverge, with Alberta set to require full-time office work in February as New Brunswick keeps flexible remote and hybrid options and B.C. maintains its current policy.