A report from Royal LePage reveals that the Canadian office real estate market is set to experience a revival in 2026, as return-to-work mandates gain traction among large employers. Following the shift to full-time remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the office market was significantly impacted. However, the new dynamic suggests that major Canadian companies, including the Royal Bank of Canada and Starbucks Canada, are calling employees back into the workplace, reinstating in-office schedules that require employees to work three to five days a week.

The report further highlights the increasing focus of employers on utilizing office space effectively. This renewed interest in physical office settings is characterized by an emphasis on workspace layout that enhances collaboration and flexibility, aiming to improve the overall employee experience. As federal employees plan to return to the office four days a week starting this summer, the implications of these changes are expected to reshape leasing and office design decisions across the country, influencing how companies approach their real estate portfolios moving forward.

Overall, this reestablishment of in-person work environments marks a significant shift in corporate strategies, as organizations assess the need for physical office spaces amid evolving work culture dynamics post-pandemic. The report indicates that 2026 could be pivotal for the office sector, suggesting that broader trends in the labor market and employee preferences will continue to shape the future of workplace planning in Canada.