OTTAWA – A federal union has sent a letter to the Treasury Board president asking for clarity in response to reports the federal government may soon order public servants to work in-office five days per week.
La Presse reported that the federal government is considering implementing the new policy by January 2027, and may require executives to start working in-office full time even sooner.
Canadian Association of Professional Employees president Nathan Prier says in a letter to Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali the union wants clarification on the rumours about an imminent new return-to-office directive.
The federal government has not confirmed that it’s considering changing the current rules, which require that public servants work a minimum of three days a week in-office, with executives in office four days each week.
Prier says in the letter the union would be concerned and disappointed if the government is preparing another major policy shift without seeking union and worker input.
Prier calls the last return-to-office rollout a “complete fiasco” and he expects bargaining agents to be informed before any decision is confirmed or announced.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2025.
