Brampton mayor Patrick Brown is following the province's lead by mandating that city employees return to in-office work full time next year.
The provincial government announced Thursday that public servants will be required to be in the office four days a week beginning Oct. 20, and ramp up to five days a week by Jan. 5.
Brown announced his decision on a NewsTalk 1010 radio show Friday morning, saying the choice to follow suit in Brampton was "long overdue."
"This is a legacy of an accommodation which was brought in during COVID and as much as there are some benefits, you don't get the same level of productivity," Brown said on the radio show, adding that the decision was finalized Thursday evening.
The City of Brampton said in a statement Friday afternoon that the decision "aligns with evolving workplace trends across Ontario."
"We remain focused on supporting our workforce through this transition while continuing to advance the priorities of our city, and delivering high-quality programs and services for residents, businesses and community partners," the city continued in a statement.
Brown also said during the radio show that he thinks the decision by the provincial government will have "cascading effects" when it comes to other public employees.
The City of Mississauga said in a statement Friday afternoon that it plans to continue with its current hybrid working arrangement, which requires workers to be in-office three days a week.
The city added that it will "continue to monitor" to make sure the arrangement works for employees. It said about four-fifths of the city's workforce are already in-office full time.
Members of Ontario's public service have flooded social media with hundreds of posts sharing their unhappiness with the new mandate.
Public service union AMAPCEO is encouraging workers to sign a petition it published on Friday morning asking the provincial government to reconsider the decision.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union alleged in a statement Thursday that an employee relations committee representing workers was given less than an hour's notice before the government's public announcement.
OPSEU called the move a "slap in the face" for workers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
The Canadian Press
