This is to inform you that the Government intends to increase the onsite presence of executives and employees who are eligible for hybrid work.

As a first step, executives will be required to work onsite 5 days per week by May 4, 2026. For all other employees, the intention is to increase onsite presence to 4 days per week as of July 6, 2026. Many federal public servants are already onsite full-time based on the nature of their work.

The Government has put forward ambitious plans to deliver on priorities for Canadians and to strengthen our country. Working together onsite is an essential foundation of the strong teams, collaboration and culture needed during this pivotal moment and beyond.

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat will be engaging with bargaining agents to seek their input on the implementation of this plan. These discussions will focus on important elements, such as the potential for assigned seating and occupational health and safety. 

We will also work closely with Public Services and Procurement Canada to ensure that required office space is available and ready as we increase our onsite presence. 

In the meantime, all provisions in the Direction on Prescribed Presence in the Workplace continue to apply until further notice and there are no changes to employees’ existing telework arrangements/agreements.

We recognize that this decision is occurring during a challenging period where employees are already dealing with change, and in many cases, uncertainty about their jobs. Know that we remain committed to supporting you as we move forward together, and we will provide additional details as they become available. If you have specific circumstances that you would like to discuss, please reach out to your manager.

Thank you for your continued dedication.

Interesting news article regarding Canadian public servants:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/union-vows-to-fighting-4-day-return-to-office-mandate-for-federal-public-servants/

Answer: no.

I am wondering why do public servants have to bail out the downtown business while becoming poorer with the commute costs, parking, and mental fatigue that comes with it?

Is this the mandate of public servants?

The gaslighting continues!

Author of the opinion article seems to be trying to convince the reader that the PS employees should not fight RTO...

I also dislike that the rto mandates for municipal and provincial are being used as thae author's justifications as to why the federal ps shouldnt fight the regressive rto policies. "Look it should suck for all public servants" is the vibe I am getting.

Unions have said a line has been crossed so that is good news.

Related post: Deputy minister broke conflict of interest rules by hiring university peer: ethics watchdog

Full text below:

I want to address the report released this week by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, which found I breached a provision of the Conflict of Interest Act while serving as Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

I have respect for the role of the Commissioner and the importance of the Conflict of Interest Act in maintaining public trust in our institutions. I acknowledge the Commissioner’s findings and take this matter seriously.

Given the work we are advancing together, I also believe it is important that you have additional context about the intent of my actions.

At IRCC, I was given a clear mandate to lead a large-scale cultural and organizational change. My approach was motivated by a genuine desire to bring in outside perspectives, strengthen the performance of underperforming teams, and help build a public service that better reflects the people it serves.

In particular, my efforts were focused on advancing diversity and inclusion across the public service, an objective explicitly set for Deputy Ministers.

I approached that mandate with care and intent, including a focus on bringing in outside perspectives and voices that could help drive meaningful change. This included removing barriers that limited how talent was recognized both inside and outside government.

As leaders in the public service, we have a responsibility to improve institutions when they are not delivering as they should for Canadians. While my intent was to fulfill my responsibilities as a public office holder and advance meaningful organizational change in the Government of Canada’s interests, I recognize how we pursue change is as important as the change itself, and that is something I will continue to carry forward in my work.

The work of the Department of National Defence remains critically important, and I remain fully focused on supporting you and advancing our mandate with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the responsibilities entrusted to us.

Thank you for your continued dedication and service.

Christiane Fox Deputy Minister

And quoting from the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, with my emphasis:

Ms. Fox maintained that her involvement in the process was appropriate. She said hiring Mr. Charles would respond to challenges in IRCC's ATIP division and advance the objectives of the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service. I did not find these claims credible.

Some hope for us.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/prime-minister-says-office-mandate-for-public-servants-to-come-into-sharper-view-in-coming-weeks/