Civil servants will be permitted to work from home with manager approval
The Ford government announced Wednesday that managers within the Ontario Public Service (OPS) will have the discretion to approve temporary remote work requests on June 12 and June 26 — the two days when Toronto is hosting daytime World Cup matches.
"We expect the Ontario Public Service to be in the workplace five days a week, reflecting the people and businesses we serve in Ontario," said Liz Tuomi, a spokesperson for Treasury Board President Caroline Mulroney, in a statement to CP24.
"As part of the OPS in-office standard, managers can approve ad hoc, occasional or temporary remote work requests to provide short-term flexibility for various extenuating circumstances – including the FIFA World Cup daytime match days scheduled for June 12 and June 26."
Push by unions for WFH
The announcement comes in response to a push by public sector unions, who had written to secretary of the cabinet Michelle DiEmanuele in April requesting broader accommodations. Unions representing OPS workers had sought temporary remote work for all employees based in Toronto from June 8 to July 3, citing "significant congestion," ongoing construction, and disrupted sidewalk access expected to accompany the tournament.
"The added stress of record-high attendance and the attendant impact on key transportation hubs as well as our shared downtown neighbourhoods will lead only to chaos and undue stress for workers otherwise going about their daily routine," the unions wrote in their letter.
The government's response falls well short of what the unions requested. Ontario is set to host six games at Toronto Stadium during the tournament, with most scheduled in the evening or on weekends. Nevertheless, the city is expected to see a significant influx of visitors throughout the entire World Cup period, with many using Toronto as a base even when travelling to other host cities.
Flexibility around FIFA
The City of Toronto has separately called on employers across the city to allow some flexibility around workplaces and hours to help manage congestion during the games.
The limited exemption arrives against a backdrop of broader conflict between the province and its civil servants over remote work. The Ford government ordered OPS employees back to the office five days a week in January, and unions representing those workers recently told CP24 that members have been receiving a wave of rejection letters in response to Alternative Work Arrangement (AWA) requests submitted since the mandate took effect.
OPSEU, which represents roughly 200,000 Ontario government employees, said about 10,000 AWA applications had been submitted, with most being denied. AMAPCEO reported that around 90 per cent of the approximately 250 responses its members had received were outright rejections "with little to no rationale."
Unions are currently challenging the return-to-office mandate at the Ontario Labour Relations Board, calling it a "clear breach" of labour laws.
The unions did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday's announcement, says CP24.
Extended hours for bars, restaurants
The World Cup accommodation also comes as the province has made separate preparations for the tournament. Earlier this month, the Ontario government announced it would extend last call at licensed bars and restaurants across the province to 4 a.m. — up from the standard 2 a.m. — for the duration of the tournament, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Attorney general Doug Downey framed the move as a way to support local businesses and tourism during what he called a "once-in-a-generation opportunity."
