Hundreds of public sector workers from unions representing them rallied today outside 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 more than 13,000 Ontarians have signed a petition launched after the province's announcement calling on the government to reverse its return-to-work decision.
AMAPCEO president Dave Bulmer says "the world has changed" and remote work offers improved work/life balance and reduced traffic congestion.
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.
