Treasury Board President States No Knowledge of Return-to-Office Policy Modifications. Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali stated on Monday that he has no information regarding potential discussions to mandate full-time in-office attendance for public servants by 2027.
Ali addressed inquiries from journalists following correspondence from Canadian Association of Professional Employees President Nathan Prier, who requested clarification regarding speculation about the anticipated policy change.
“My information is coming from media sources, so I am not informed about that,” Ali stated prior to question period on Parliament Hill. He indicated that he was investigating the matter but confirmed that “no modifications have been implemented.”
Accordingt to medias, the federal government is evaluating a policy requiring public servants to work in-office five days weekly by January 2027, with executives potentially returning to full-time in-office work even earlier. Canadian Association of Professional Employees President Nathan Prier communicated to Ali in his letter that the union seeks clarification regarding speculation about an imminent new return-to-office directive.
“Occurring shortly after workforce reductions announced in Budget 2025, this speculation is generating considerable concern among our members, who are already experiencing uncertainty from workforce adjustments and unresolved matters from previous RTO directives,” Prier stated.
Remote work policies have remained a contentious issue within the public service since COVID-19 necessitated remote work for most federal employees in 2020. Following the easing of public health restrictions, the federal government implemented a policy in 2023 requiring employees to work on-site two to three days weekly.
The current policy, effective since September 2024, mandates that public servants work a minimum of three days weekly in-office, with executives required to be on-site four days each week.
Rola Salem, spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, confirmed via email that the policy regarding required in-office days remains unchanged.
“We have no additional information to provide,” Salem stated.
She did not address whether discussions on the matter are currently underway.
Prier expressed in his letter that the union would be troubled and disappointed if the government is preparing another significant policy modification without consulting unions and employees.
Prier characterized the previous return-to-office implementation as a “complete failure” and anticipates that bargaining representatives will be informed prior to any decision being finalized or announced.
Public Service Alliance of Canada National President Sharon DeSousa stated that the leaked Treasury Board document detailing plans to implement a five-day in-office mandate for all federal public service employees “should never have been released from the presentation in which it was created.”
“This proposal demonstrates a lack of creativity and is entirely disconnected from what benefits workers and taxpayers,” DeSousa stated in an email. “It appears Prime Minister Carney would prefer to increase expenditures on office space while eliminating positions and reducing public services that citizens rely upon.”
DeSousa described the current arrangement as a “catastrophe” from its inception, noting that offices lack sufficient workstations and shared workspaces are “consistently fully reserved.”
“The government still has the opportunity to reverse this proposal,” DeSousa stated. “We have contacted Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali’s office to arrange an immediate meeting on this matter.”
Former Treasury Board President Mona Fortier stated in 2022 that hybrid work arrangements were “permanently established.”
Martin Potvin, spokesperson for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, stated in January that the government’s hybrid work approach is motivated by its dedication to “most effectively serving Canadians” and aligns with its commitment to reducing its office footprint.
In August, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that thousands of Ontario civil servants will return to full-time in-office work by January.
Ford commended the City of Ottawa’s decision to require its employees to work five days weekly in-office beginning in the new year. He stated that the federal government must “adopt the same approach” and encouraged all other Ontario regions to implement similar policies.
“It is time to return personnel to the workplace, where they can receive mentorship and collaborate effectively. Direct interaction is significantly more effective than communication via telephone or computer screen,” Ford stated.
When asked following Monday’s cabinet reorganization to comment on potential modifications to return-to-office regulations, Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Sabia responded, “No, not at this time.”