Ottawa, March 24, 2026 – The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), representing more than 3,500 federal lawyers and prosecutors, has filed a policy grievance challenging the employer’s announcement that LPs will be required to be physically present in the workplace four days per week beginning July 6, 2026.

This grievance addresses both the lack of consultation and the bad faith manner in which this change has been communicated to AJC members.

On February 5, 2026, members received an email advising that the required in-office presence would increase to four days per week. This announcement was issued without any prior notice to the AJC and without meaningful consultation, despite clear obligations under the LP Collective Agreement.

The AJC’s position is straightforward: changes of this magnitude cannot be imposed unilaterally.

The LP Collective Agreement requires meaningful consultation on workplace changes that affect members’ working conditions, including issues related to workplace presence and office space. These obligations exist for a reason. Lawyers working in the federal public service carry professional responsibilities, including strict obligations related to confidentiality, information protection, and the handling of privileged materials. Any increase in onsite presence must be accompanied by proper planning, consultation, and a clear assessment of whether departments have the infrastructure and workspace required to support these obligations.

None of that occurred here.

The employer has asserted that the February 5 communication merely reflected an “intention” to increase onsite presence. In the AJC’s view, this characterization is disingenuous and reflects bad faith. Regardless of whether it is framed as an intention or a decision, there was clearly a lack of meaningful consultation prior to the announcement.

The content of the message itself, along with subsequent departmental communications, indicates that a decision had already been made.

The policy grievance therefore challenges the employer’s unilateral approach and seeks corrective action, including compliance with the LP Collective Agreement and the employer’s duty to consult.

The AJC has also raised serious concerns regarding the operational feasibility of implementing a four-day in-office requirement across departments. Many workplaces continue to operate under hybrid models that were never designed to support such a level of physical presence. Without proper planning and consultation, these changes risk creating significant issues related to workspace availability, confidentiality, and the ability of lawyers to carry out their professional duties effectively.

To support members in navigating situations where confidentiality may be compromised, the AJC has outlined the following recommended steps.

The grievance also addresses the employer’s failure to consult on office space arrangements, which is specifically required under the collective agreement. Lawyers must have access to appropriate work environments that respect both their professional obligations and the sensitive nature of their work.

At this stage, the policy grievance focuses on the process, specifically the lack of consultation and the manner in which the change was communicated.

However, the AJC is prepared to take further action if necessary.

If the employer proceeds with the changes, additional grievances may be filed to challenge the impacts of the decision, including issues related to health and safety, potential discrimination, and the continued lack of consultation.

The AJC will continue to defend members’ rights under the collective agreement and ensure that the employer respects both its legal obligations and the professional realities of the work performed by federal government lawyers. 

 

ABOUT THE AJC

The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) is the union defending Canada’s legal team. Our 3,500+ members are Federal Crown Counsel and articling students employed by the Government of Canada in the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and in various federal agencies, tribunals and courts across Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT

The Communications Department 
Association of Justice Counsel 
300–2725 Queensview Drive 
Ottawa, ON, Canada 
K2B 0A1

Phone: (613) 798-9900 
Toll-Free: (866) 218-3310 
Fax: (613) 564-0606 
Email: admin@ajc-ajj.ca

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