Since the start of the pandemic, the majority of the workforce that is able to work from home has been.

This is no different for Thunder Bay city workers. Council approved a pilot project in August that would allow workers to apply to remain conducting their business from home. This was then going to be reviewed by council in June 2022.

At-Large Councillor Aldo Ruberto has other ideas, and believes it is time to get workers back in the office. At the upcoming council meeting, he is hoping to eliminate the pilot project.

In the memorandum available on the city website, Councillor Ruberto explains his reasoning:

The City Manager recently shared information relative to staff returning to the office and it is my view that the process is too slow and that staff at home are not as productive or customer focused as those in the workplace. I am also of the opinion that the business sector is suffering because a large portion of the workforce is not in the workplace. Staff are not visiting local businesses as they were pre-pandemic for coffee, lunches and shopping in the same measure. It is my view that we are on the tail end of this pandemic, the city has adopted a mandatory vaccination disclosure policy and testing is underway for those who have not disclosed their status, the provincial government is loosening restrictions, and it is time to return all staff to the workplace. Staff should have been preparing for this return to work for the past several months and there should be no further delay.

It is mentioned this would not be relevant in cases of health and safety concerns for individuals, or if there is an accommodation required.