On January 6th, 2026, Premier Doug Ford’s government launched the final stage of their Return-to-Office (RTO) mandate, forcing thousands of public service employees back into offices five days a week after years of flexible hybrid work arrangements. He said this was a good thing for Ontario, citing increased productivity, collaboration and status-quo as justification for the mandate. According to Premier Ford, it was time to for everyone to “get back to work.”

However, the reality is that the Ontario Public Service (OPS) has never stopped working. During their years of working with flexible hybrid work arrangements, the OPS continued to provide services to the public, including during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.  Public servants have proven that we can work from home, remote offices, local offices, and in the field.

The truth is that remote work works. It’s cost effective, saving taxpayers operating expenses like office rentals. It supports the health and well-being of workers and their families, reducing sick-time and lengthy commutes. It builds communities by allowing workers to live throughout Ontario, outside of Toronto and outside of urban centres. Despite what Premier Ford thinks, flexible hybrid work isn’t a “terrible format.” It is a strategic tool that the Ontario government can use to make the Ontario Public Service a better place to work, and Ontario a better province to live in. And it works.

If you believe that the people of Ontario deserve a strong and effective public service, join us in telling the government that we oppose this mandate. We are calling for an immediate reversal of the Return-to-Office mandate, and a return to flexible and hybrid work options for Ontario’s public servants.

Join our LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN   PETITION CAMPAIGN

Spread the word (shareables):

Poster - PDF
Poster - PNG
Facebook Post
Instagram Post
Instagram Story
Profile Picture