The Return-to-Office Ripple Effect on Canadian Real Estate

Canadian employers (government, banks, telecoms) are mandating 4-5 days in-office by 2026, with downtown foot traffic still 43% below pre-pandemic levels in Toronto.

The RTO trend is affecting real estate markets, with downtown rental prices increasing while some remote workers who relocated during COVID face difficult decisions about moving back.

Some employers may be using RTO mandates as a "layoff filter" to encourage voluntary departures without formal layoffs - a tactic that 25% of executives admit hoping will prompt staff to quit.