Carney says details of federal return-to-office plan expected within weeks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will soon clarify how often public servants will be required to work from their offices, signalling that updated expectations should become clearer in the coming weeks. His comments came during a discussion with Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the mayor’s monthly breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade and the Ottawa Business Journal.

Carney said in-person attendance requirements will not be uniform across the federal workforce and will instead reflect employees’ roles, responsibilities and seniority. He noted that the government is reviewing how hybrid work has affected public service delivery, including in regions across the country where federal departments support local communities, such as British Columbia and Alberta.

Addressing concerns about potential job reductions, Carney said the size of the civil service has expanded to a level the government considers unsustainable. He emphasized that many staffing changes are expected to occur through retirements, early retirements and other gradual adjustments rather than widespread layoffs.

Several unions representing federal workers reported last week that hundreds of employees had received notices warning that their positions may be at risk. Labour groups say they are seeking clarity from the federal government on both staffing levels and the forthcoming return-to-office guidance.