The four NAIOP chapters in Canada sent a letter to the Honourable Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board, in support of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration’s decision for federal public servants to return to the office on a hybrid basis. The federal government announced post-pandemic return-to-the-office office policy that will require federal public servants to return to the office for three days and executives to return to the office four days per week starting Sept. 9.

The Canadian chapters recognize the federal government’s decision is consistent with the private sector and will serve as positive first step towards the economic revitalization of city centres across the country. The hybrid workweek will strengthen businesses – small and large – that depend on in-person foot traffic, downtown property valuations, and municipal tax collections.

The hybrid workweek will also strengthen the collaboration within the federal government on policies and their implementation. As outlined in the letter, the return-to-the-office policy will foster cohesiveness, enhance productivity and employee engagement.

The implementation of a hybrid workweek for the federal workforce will experience challenges in the post-pandemic era. However, as landlords and employers, the letter said that the chapters would welcome the opportunity to work with the Canadian government to ensure a smooth transition.