Thousands of public- and private-sector employees across Canada are set to see significant changes to their work arrangements in 2026, as governments and major employers scale back remote and hybrid work policies.
In Ontario, provincial government employees will be required to work in the office five days a week beginning Jan. 5. Alberta’s public service will also return to full-time, in-office work starting in February, a move the provincial government says is intended to strengthen collaboration, accountability, and service delivery.
Other provinces are taking different approaches. Manitoba, British Columbia, and New Brunswick continue to allow hybrid work arrangements, while Newfoundland and Labrador has confirmed it is reviewing its remote work policy. The Northwest Territories government is also conducting a review but says there are currently no plans to mandate a full five-day return to on-site work.
At the federal level, details remain uncertain. Prime Minister Mark Carney said last month that the government’s updated return-to-office plan would soon come into “sharper view.” He noted that discussions are ongoing with public sector unions and that details will be released over the coming weeks. Carney said in-office requirements would likely vary based on employees’ roles and seniority.
Since September 2024, federal public servants have been required to work at least three days a week in the office, with executives expected to attend four days per week. Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali said in December that while internal discussions are underway, no final decisions have been made on future changes.
In the private sector, several large employers have already tightened attendance requirements. Banks including BMO, Scotiabank, and RBC have instructed staff to work in the office four days a week. Amazon has gone further, requiring corporate employees to return to the office five days a week as of Jan. 2.
Public sector unions have strongly criticized the shift away from remote work. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents about 40,000 workers, said the province ordered a full return to the office without adequately considering the realities faced by frontline employees. The Public Service Alliance of Canada, the country’s largest federal union, called Ottawa’s approach “severely out of touch with what’s best for workers and taxpayers,” warning it would challenge any major changes imposed during collective bargaining.
Labour experts expect tensions to grow. Catherine Connelly, a professor of human resources and management at McMaster University, said many workers value the flexibility of remote work and want those options preserved. While some employees report higher productivity and cost savings from working at home, others find remote arrangements can blur work-life boundaries or limit professional connections.
Connelly said it remains unclear whether private-sector employers will continue pushing for more in-office time if doing so risks losing top talent. She added that companies may instead refine remote work policies by introducing clearer rules, such as requirements for childcare or minimum availability during work hours.
The debate has also had uneven economic effects across municipalities. In the National Capital Region, downtown Ottawa businesses suffered during the pandemic as public servants worked from home, while suburban and outlying areas experienced growth.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said adding another one or two in-office days for federal workers is feasible and could help revive the city’s core. He noted the city is expanding transit options and advancing the next phase of its light rail system to support increased commuting.
Liberal MP Bruce Fanjoy, who represents an eastern Ontario riding with more than 10,000 public servants, said he hopes the federal government maintains flexibility as employees return to the office. Such an approach, he said, could help retain workers, manage office space more efficiently, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Many of the toughest challenges in cities come from concentrating everyone in a small area,” Fanjoy said. “Spreading public servants out can be good for local economies across communities.”