MTO Staff Reportedly Told to Brave 2026 Snowstorm or Use “Vacation Day”

What Happened?

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) reportedly told some staffers to “take a vacation day” if they didn’t want to come into the office during the major snowstorm that swept across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Jan. 15, 2026.

However, it took roughly an hour for the province to revise its initial directive.

“We are now being advised that if you have your equipment, you may work from home,” reads a follow-up email, seen by Global News.

“Staff [should] decide for themselves if it’s safe or possible to drive in today. Please use your best judgment and prioritize safety.”

When asked if employees in other departments received similar instructions, a spokesperson for the Ford government suggested that there hadn’t been any central decision on the snow day.

SEE ALSO
• Employee Rights During Inclement Weather in Ontario
• Ontario Public Servants Resume In-Office Work Full Time in January 2026
• Car Accidents in Bad Weather: Next Steps for Injured Ontarians

Can Employers in Ontario Force Staff to Use a Vacation Day During Extreme Weather?

In Ontario, employers can generally dictate when staff are allowed to take vacation. However, forcing an individual to use a vacation day because of an extreme weather event (i.e. a sudden snowstorm) is legally questionable.

Vacation is meant for rest — not as a last-minute solution to unsafe travel conditions or unexpected closures.

In most cases, employers in Ontario are expected to act reasonably and provide flexibility. Examples of flexibility during an extreme weather event include:

• Allowing staff to work remotely (if they’re able to do so)
• Providing essential workers with the option to head home from the office early
• Treating the day as a paid closure

Workplace Issue in Ontario? Get Help Now

📞 Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP: 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Our experienced Ontario employment lawyers have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals successfully resolve a variety of workplace issues, including vacation disputes and wrongful dismissals.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.