Ontario workers return to full-time in-office work Jan. 5, 2026, ending pandemic-era remote options, sparking union opposition.

On January 5, 2026, Ontario public service employees started going back to full-time in-office work as a result of Premier Doug Ford's directive to discontinue remote and hybrid work arrangements put in place during the pandemic. The move is opposed by unions like OPSEU and CUPE, who point to issues with worker welfare and service delivery, inadequate office space, and unfulfilled requests for alternate work arrangements. Widespread discontent is highlighted by protest actions, such as health workers taking street lunch breaks. While the federal government maintains a minimum of three in-office days per week, Alberta intends to make a similar shift in February.