Overview

• City manager Wendy Stephanson set a Jan. 1, 2026 start, calling the five‑day schedule the new standard for all municipal staff.
• The change affects fewer than 2,600 workers, with the city saying more than 85% are already onsite and staff average 4.64 in‑office days per week.
• Stephanson defended the move as strengthening culture, mentorship and service delivery, noting most staff already work at dispersed sites across the city.
• Ford praised Ottawa’s decision and reiterated his call for municipalities and the federal government to require full‑time office work, following Ontario’s plan to bring provincial staff back by January.
• Several Ottawa councillors criticized the mandate over congestion, transit capacity and caregiving impacts, while labour groups argue broad in‑office rules undermine well‑being and bargaining rights; federal public servants currently have a three‑day minimum, with four for executives.