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February 11, 2026
Horizon Ottawa Launches Campaign to Oppose Ottawa’s Return-to-Office Mandate for Municipal Workers
Horizon Ottawa Launches Campaign to Oppose Ottawa’s Return-to-Office Mandate for Municipal Workers
OTTAWA - An email campaign has been launched today urging Mayor Sutcliffe and Ottawa City Council to reject the City Manager’s decision to mandate a 5-day return-to-office for municipal workers.
The campaign highlights the wide-reaching benefits of remote work not just for individuals, but the city as a whole by reducing traffic congestion, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, easing the burden on childcare, and lowering costs for city office space.
“Work from home isn’t just a perk for these employees, it’s a smarter way to run the city,” said Katy de Sousa, the campaign organizer. “Forcing thousands of people back into daily commutes makes no sense when the benefits of working from home are so clear.”
Horizon Ottawa warns that the mandate could set Ottawa back at a time when many cities are embracing flexible work arrangements to attract and retain skilled employees. Advocates also note that with transit already in crisis, funnelling more workers into daily commutes risks worsening both gridlock and pressure on an already-strained public transportation system.
Through the campaign, residents are invited to send messages directly to decision-makers at the city, calling on them to reverse the mandate and commit to a more forward-looking workplace policy.
“This is about more than where municipal employees sit during the day,” added de Sousa. “It’s about whether Ottawa will embrace smart, sustainable policies that benefit the whole city or cling to outdated ideas about work.”
The email campaign can be accessed at https://www.horizonottawa.ca/cancelottawaRTO
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Tom Ledgley
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