Remote work option ending for tens of thousands of public, private sector workers in 2026

The new year will bring some big changes to the rules on in-office work for many employees across the country — including tens of thousands of provincial government staff in Ontario and Alberta who will soon be required back in the office full-time.

As of Jan. 5, Ontario provincial government employees will be expected to work in the office five days a week.

Alberta’s public service is also returning to full-time, in-office work in February to “strengthen collaboration, accountability and service delivery for Albertans,” a spokesperson for the Alberta government said.