Toronto — The Ontario government has announced that the province’s public service employees will return to full-time, in-office work starting January 5, 2026, marking the end of hybrid arrangements for many staff.
In a statement released Thursday, Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, said the decision reflects broader workplace trends and the government’s commitment to “driving public service excellence for the people of Ontario.”
“As the government delivers on our plan to protect Ontario, we will continue to drive public service excellence for the people of Ontario,” Mulroney said. “Effective January 5, 2026, the Ontario Public Service and its provincial agencies, boards and commission public bodies will return to the office full time.”
The shift will be implemented in stages. A transition period will begin October 20, 2025, during which employees currently in the office three days a week will be expected to increase their attendance to four days per week. The full five-day requirement will take effect in early January.
Reflecting workplace norms
Mulroney said the decision follows close monitoring of “the evolution of in-workplace standards for public and private sector organizations,” noting that a five-day presence has re-emerged as the dominant model across Ontario. She added that the policy aims to ensure the public service reflects “the people and businesses we serve across Ontario.”
“The return to a five days per week in-workplace standard represents the current workforce landscape in the province,” Mulroney said, “and it reinforces our commitment to reflecting the people and businesses we serve across Ontario.”
The government estimates that more than half of Ontario Public Service employees already work full-time from the office, particularly in roles where in-person duties are essential. The new policy will primarily affect employees who have been working in hybrid models since the COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread remote arrangements in 2020.
Economic and operational considerations
While the government did not provide specific economic projections tied to the move, workplace analysts say the decision could have implications for commercial real estate demand, public transit ridership, and surrounding business districts in cities across Ontario.
The shift also comes amid broader debates over the balance between remote flexibility and in-office collaboration. Proponents of in-person work argue it fosters stronger communication, mentorship, and service delivery, while critics contend that mandated office attendance may reduce employee satisfaction and work-life balance.
Mulroney framed the policy as part of a broader economic strategy.
“This transition is an important step that supports the government’s ongoing efforts to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant Ontario,” she said.
Impact on public sector workers
The announcement is expected to prompt logistical adjustments for employees who relocated further from their workplaces during the pandemic, as well as those who have reorganized their work-life schedules around remote options. The Treasury Board Secretariat has not yet detailed whether any exemptions or accommodations will be considered for employees with special circumstances.
Labour unions representing public sector employees have not issued formal statements on the new requirement as of Thursday afternoon, but past discussions around return-to-office policies in Ontario and other provinces have raised concerns about commuting costs, accessibility, and potential impacts on recruitment and retention.
A national context
Ontario’s move follows similar return-to-office mandates in other Canadian jurisdictions and within the federal public service. Earlier this year, the federal government implemented a policy requiring most employees to work on-site at least three days per week, citing service delivery and team cohesion.
However, Ontario’s decision to mandate a full five-day schedule places it at the more stringent end of current public sector workplace policies in Canada. Several provinces, including British Columbia and Alberta, have retained more flexible arrangements for some departments.
Next steps
The province’s gradual approach — increasing attendance to four days per week in October before moving to full-time in January — is intended to give employees and agencies time to adapt. Government officials say further details on implementation will be communicated directly to affected employees in the coming months.
As the transition unfolds, Ontario will be closely watched by other jurisdictions weighing the costs and benefits of mandating full-time, in-office work. The move could set a precedent for public service operations across Canada in the post-pandemic era.