OPSEU/SEFPO in the news: Criticisms of Ontario’s return to office mandate hit headlines across the province

On January 6th, 2026, members of the Ontario Public Service were mandated back to the office 5 days a week by the Ford government in a move made without evidence and without any consultation with workers. Headlines across the province captured the concerns OPSEU/SEFPO workers have been raising for months over the lack of adequate office space, increased traffic congestion and outstanding accommodations requests.

Read more below!

“A solution looking for a problem”: Doug Ford’s Full time return to office mandate starts this week despite objections from Union | Toronto Star

Unions, public service employees speak out against Ontario return to office policy | CBC News

As Ontario civil servants return to office full time, union calls the order ‘ridiculous’ | Canada’s National Observer

Doug Ford says government is trying to find space for workers ordered back to the office | Toronto Star

Ford acknowledges ‘bump’ in the road as civil servants return to office full time | Globalnews.ca

Ontario government working to find space for back-to-office | The Record

Ontario government workers return to office full time today | The Canadian Press

Ontario government workers set to return to office full-time as of Monday |Ground News