Remote work option ending for tens of thousands of public, private sector workers in 2026

"The new year will bring some big changes to the rules on in-office work for many employees across the country - including tens of thousands of provincial government staff in Ontario and Alberta who will soon be required back in the office full-time. As of Jan. 5, Ontario provincial government employees will be expected to work in the office five days a week."

"Alberta's public service is also returning to full-time, in-office work in February to "strengthen collaboration, accountability and service delivery for Albertans," a spokesperson for the Alberta government said. While several provinces, including Manitoba, British Columbia and New Brunswick, retain more flexible hybrid work rules, others are reviewing their policies. A spokesperson for the government of Newfoundland and Labrador said the province is looking at its remote work policy."

"The government of the Northwest Territories is also reviewing its remote work policy, though a spokesperson said there are no plans to require employees to return to the workplace on-site five days a week. It's still not clear when federal public servants will have to increase their office presence, or by how much. Prime Minister Mark Carney promised last month that a plan would soon come into "sharper view.""

Ontario will require provincial government employees to work in the office five days a week starting Jan. 5. Alberta's public service will return to full-time, in-office work in February to strengthen collaboration, accountability and service delivery. Manitoba, British Columbia and New Brunswick retain more flexible hybrid rules while Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories are reviewing remote work policies. The federal government has not finalized new office-presence requirements; Prime Minister Mark Carney said a plan will come into "sharper view" and that the government will engage public sector unions on modalities. Current federal rules require three in-office days for most public servants and four for executives.

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