Ottawa Liberal MP calls on feds to reconsider 4 day a week office mandate for public servants

Liberal MP for Carleton Bruce Fanjoy rises in the House of Commons, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The Liberal MP in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton is calling on the federal government to reconsider its new return-to-office (RTO) mandate for public servants, saying it will “cost the government and citizens more.”

A directive issued last week announced that, as of May 4, executives will be required to work onsite five days per week. All other federal employees in the core public service will need to be in the office a minimum of four days per week, as of July 6.

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The new four days a week office mandate was announced by the federal government’s Chief Human Resources Officer and the Secretary of the Treasury Board.

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

A spokesperson for Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali said the new office mandate is about “strengthening the public service.”

However, Bruce Fanjoy says the new policy will make it harder for public servants to have a work-life balance, raise costs for the government and increase pollution.

“I believe Canada is better served by a hybrid model that balances a mix of in-office and remote work,” Fanjoy said in a statement posted to social media.

“The right balance is flexible and depends on circumstances. Done well, a hybrid model reduces the cost of government and benefits workers and all Canadians.”

Fanjoy, who represents the riding of Carleton in Ottawa’s west end, wants the government to reconsider the policy before it’s implemented this summer.

“The new RTO policy makes it harder to achieve the government’s priorities of reducing the operating cost of government, improving affordability, and respecting the environment,” Fanjoy said. “Instead, it will cost both the government and citizens more and increase pollution.”

Fanjoy says there is “little to no evidence that a one-size-fits-all RTO policy will improve productivity or service to Canadians.”

“The RTO policy makes it harder for public servants to balance work with other responsibilities,” Fanjoy said.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Federal Public Service Labour Relations and Employment Board in response to the government’s new in-office mandate.

The union is calling on the federal government to consult with unions and its members before proceeding with the policy.

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