Rural Employment Access Ontario

A Path Forward

Rural Employment Access Ontario believes strong a public service workforce and strong rural communities can go hand in hand.

We recognize that workplace attendance requirements are an operational decision for government. We also believe those decisions should consider the unique realities facing rural and northern Ontario and the broader impacts they may have on workforce accessibility, economic development and future opportunity.

Ontario is geographically diverse.

What is practical for employees living near major office locations may present significantly different challenges for those living several hours away.

We believe there is an opportunity to better recognize those realities while continuing to support effective public service delivery.

We are asking the Ontario government to take the following actions:

Reconsider the Current Return-to-Office Policy

Review the implementation of the current Ontario Public Service return-to-office policy to ensure qualified residents of rural and northern Ontario continue to have equitable access to public service careers.

Ontario's geography is diverse. A single approach may not produce equitable outcomes across a province as geographically diverse as Ontario.

Recognize Rural Realities

Consider geographic distance, rural workforce accessibility and regional employment realities when making decisions affecting Ontario Public Service employees.

Policies should recognize that the challenges associated with workplace attendance vary significantly depending on where employees live.

Review Alternate Work Arrangement Criteria

Review Alternate Work Arrangement assessment criteria to include geographic distance, rural workforce accessibility and regional employment realities as legitimate considerations where operationally appropriate.

Where revised criteria are adopted, previously denied requests should be eligible for reconsideration under the updated framework.

Recognizing Ontario's geographic realities within Alternate Work Arrangement decisions would help ensure qualified residents of rural and northern communities are not unfairly disadvantaged because of where they live.

Consider Community Impacts

Assess how return-to-office requirements may affect:

workforce attraction
population growth
local economic development
recruitment and retention
future access to Ontario Public Service careers

Employment policy is also community policy.

Protect Future Opportunity

Ensure today's policy decisions do not unintentionally reduce future access to Ontario Public Service careers for students, graduates, young families and skilled professionals who choose to build their lives in rural Ontario.

Strong communities depend on access to opportunity.

We believe employment policies should help strengthen rural Ontario by ensuring qualified people are not disadvantaged simply because of where they live.

Opportunity should be determined by qualifications, experience and ability, not postal code.

Moving Forward

We believe public policy is strongest when it reflects both operational realities and the diverse experiences of the people and communities it affects.

By recognizing Ontario's geographic realities and the unique circumstances facing rural communities, it is possible to support both effective public services and thriving rural economies.

Opportunity should be determined by qualifications, experience and ability, not postal code.

Contact Us

Email: ruralemploymentaccess@gmail.com

Facebook: Rural Employment Access Ontario