Ontario public servant unions to rally against return-to-office mandates by province
Written by The Canadian Press on September 18, 2025
TORONTO — Unions representing Ontario public sector workers are holding a rally today outside of Queen’s Park to protest the province’s return-to-office mandate.
The province announced its decision in August to move away from remote and hybrid work, requiring employees to work in-office five days a week by Jan. 5, 2026.
Labour union AMAPCEO says over 13,000 Ontarians have signed a petition launched after the province’s announcement calling on the government to reverse its return-to-work decision.
The union representing public servants says in its petition that remote work offers improved work/life balance, reduced traffic congestion and savings to taxpayers.
Premier Doug Ford previously said he believes in-person work is better for productivity and that downtown businesses are suffering from a loss of foot traffic.
Government employees turned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than half already required to be in office full-time.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2025.
Vanessa Tiberio, The Canadian Press