Canadian Federal Government Faces Workstation Shortage Ahead of Expanded Return-to-Office Mandate

New Return-to-Office Mandate Announced

The Canadian federal government has announced an expanded return-to-office (RTO) mandate for its public service, requiring most employees to be in the office a minimum of four days a week starting July 6, 2026. This directive follows a previous policy, in effect since September 2024, which mandated three days a week in-office for public servants. Government executives will face an even stricter requirement, expected to be in the office five days a week as of May 4, 2026.

The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has stated that the rationale behind this increased in-office presence is to foster stronger collaboration and to strengthen the country.

Concerns Over Insufficient Workstations

Despite the government's stated objectives, concerns are mounting regarding the practicality of the new mandate, particularly the availability of adequate office space. Martin Potvin, a spokesperson with the Treasury Board, acknowledged that 'there may not be enough workstations at some locations to meet the four-day work week requirement for all staff starting July 6.'

Federal public service unions have been vocal in their opposition, highlighting existing challenges even under the previous three-day-a-week policy. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) have consistently warned of insufficient office space and workstations. PSAC stated, 'We have been clear from the start: there simply isn't enough office space or available workstations to support a four-day in-office mandate.' Sean O'Reilly, president of PIPSC, noted that many departments struggled to implement the three-day mandate due to a 'lack of space across the public service.'

Union Opposition and Legal Challenges

Both PSAC and PIPSC have filed unfair labour practice complaints against the government, arguing that the change in working conditions during ongoing collective bargaining violates good-faith negotiation obligations and was implemented without proper consultation. PIPSC President Sean O'Reilly emphasized, 'The government is required to bargain in good faith. Imposing significant workplace changes in the middle of negotiations, without consultation, undermines that obligation and the rights of our members.'

Unions have also raised concerns about the overall state of federal office buildings, with PSAC's president describing conditions as 'horrendous,' citing issues such as pests, overcrowding, and deteriorating workspaces. They also contend that no public evidence has been presented to justify the expanded in-office requirement.

Government's Response and Context

In response to the anticipated challenges, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has indicated it will work closely with organizations to ensure 'adequate office space' is available for staff. The department also plans to adjust its long-term target of reducing its office space by 50% over 10 years, a goal set in Budget 2024, to accommodate the increased in-office presence.

The federal public service has seen significant growth since 2020, increasing by over 57,000 workers, an almost 20 percent rise, since the onset of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth, coupled with previous efforts to reduce office footprint, adds complexity to the current return-to-office strategy.