Ontario Public Service to Fully Return to the Office by January 2026

TORONTO — The Ontario government has announced that the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and its provincial agencies, boards, and commission public bodies will be required to return to the office full time starting January 5, 2026.

Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney said the move aligns with evolving workplace norms in the province and reinforces the OPS’s role in reflecting the communities it serves.

“The return to a five days per week in-workplace standard represents the current workforce landscape in the province and it reinforces our commitment to reflecting the people and businesses we serve across Ontario,” said Mulroney.

Gradual Transition Begins in October

While more than half of OPS employees are already in the office full time due to the nature of their work, the government is introducing a phased approach for the rest of the workforce.

Starting October 20, 2025, employees who currently attend the workplace at least three days a week will increase their in-office presence to four days. This interim schedule will continue until the full five-day standard comes into effect in January 2026.

Today, I announced that the Ontario Public Service and its agencies, boards, and commission public bodies will be back full time in the workplace by January 5, 2026.

This represents the current workforce landscape in the province and is our latest step in our plan to protect…

— Caroline Mulroney (@C_Mulroney) August 14, 2025

Reflecting the Private Sector

Mulroney noted that the decision follows careful monitoring of trends in both public and private sector organizations. Many Ontario-based businesses have already reinstated full-time, on-site work models, citing collaboration, workplace culture, and productivity as benefits.

“As the government delivers on our plan to protect Ontario, we will continue to drive public service excellence for the people of Ontario,” Mulroney said.

Part of a Broader Strategy

The shift is positioned as part of the government’s larger effort to build “a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant Ontario.” Returning employees to the workplace full time is expected to strengthen operational cohesion, improve service delivery, and ensure OPS workplaces remain hubs for collaboration and innovation.

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