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Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal MP for Carleton, has broken ranks with his party to criticize the federal government’s latest return-to-office (RTO) mandate.<\/p>\n
Last week, federal public servants were ordered to return to their offices four days a week starting in July, up from the current three days a week. Executives will return five days a week starting in May.<\/p>\n
In a letter posted on social media Monday, Fanjoy called on the government to reconsider the move.<\/p>\n
“There is little to no evidence that a one-size-fits-all RTO policy will improve productivity or service to Canadians,” he wrote.<\/p>\n
Fanjoy, whose Ottawa riding is home to thousands of federal public servants, said forcing them back four days a week will cost the government more, contribute to pollution and make it harder for workers to balance their jobs with their other responsibilities. <\/p>\n
CBC has reached out to Fanjoy’s office for additional comment. CBC also asked Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali about Fanjoy’s letter, but has not received a response.<\/p>\n
The latest RTO mandate also prompted strong criticism from public sector unions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sharon DeSousa, president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), called it “a slap in the face to all federal public service workers across this country.” <\/p>\n
PSAC has filed five unfair labour practice complaints with the Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board in response to the government’s decision. <\/p>\n
Fanjoy hoped for ‘flexibility’<\/p>\n
Remote work rules have been an ongoing source of friction in the public service since COVID-19 forced most federal workers to work remotely in 2020.<\/p>\n
After public health restrictions began to ease, the federal government moved in 2023 to have workers return to the office two to three days a week. <\/p>\n
Treasury Board said the government will engage with unions to implement the new return-to-office plan and address concerns over assigned seating, occupational health and safety, and other matters.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Mark Carney promised late last year that a plan would soon come into “sharper view.”<\/p>\n
At the time, Fanjoy said he hoped there would be “flexibility” as employees return to the office.<\/p>\n
“A lot of our trickiest problems in cities are because we require everyone to be in a very small space,” Fanjoy said in December. “Having public servants spread out a little bit, that’s good for all the economies of our local communities.” <\/p>\n