Canadian Layoff Tracker

Simons laid off multiple employees at its newly-opened Eaton Centre location in Toronto shortly before Black Friday, with workers dismissed just before the end of their probation period and minimal explanation provided. Former employees allege the manager exhibited passive-aggressive behavior and public reprimands, and criticized the timing of the layoffs during the busy holiday season when retail companies typically hire additional staff.

Drax, a U.K.-based renewable energy company, announced the closure of its wood pellet plant in Williams Lake, B.C., effective by the end of 2025, resulting in 30 job losses. The closure is attributed to the curtailment and closure of nearby sawmills and reduced fibre availability, making operations no longer commercially viable.

Shopify Inc. announced layoffs to keep its team 'fast, sharp and focused.' The specific number of employees affected was not disclosed in the announcement. Spokesperson Ben McConaghy would not provide a number of workers losing their jobs but says in an email to The Canadian Press that the cuts impact a “fraction of a per cent” of Shopify’s team. Financial markets firm LSEG Data & Analytics counted 8,100 Shopify employees as of December 2024. One per cent of that figure amounts to about 81 staff.

The Canadian federal government's implementation of AI translation tools (GCtranslate) is expected to result in approximately 339 job losses among the 1,300+ employees in the Translation Bureau. The union representing translators and language experts warns that relying on AI without human oversight risks translation quality and threatens the protection of French language services across Canadian government operations.

Horizon Media laid off six senior executives as part of organizational changes. The affected employees held positions including investment director, strategy supervisor, associate director of strategy, group account director, director of innovation, trading manager, and planning director roles.

Bell Canada laid off approximately 700 managers in a mass restructuring described as highly efficient with minimal legal resistance. The layoffs were driven by cost-cutting to improve earnings and hit performance targets rather than crisis response.

Bell Media, a subsidiary of BCE, announced layoffs of 40 positions as part of wider cost-cutting measures at the parent company. The cuts represent ongoing restructuring efforts within Canada's telecommunications and media sector.

BCE Inc. is laying off nearly 700 non-unionized employees, including approximately 650 management positions across Bell Canada and 40 roles at Bell Media, as part of its three-year strategy to reduce leverage and focus on growth areas. The layoffs represent just under 2 per cent of Bell Canada's workforce and just under 1 per cent of Bell Media's employees, with the Bell Media cuts predominantly in corporate departments including four news management roles in Toronto.

Canada Post announced at its annual public meeting that it is 'effectively insolvent' with operating losses exceeding $1 billion in 2025 and hinted at significant job cuts through attrition. CEO Doug Ettinger stated the corporation anticipates over 16,000 employee retirements or departures by 2030 and another 14,000 by 2035 as part of plans to become a leaner organization.

Warner Music Canada laid off at least 24 employees across multiple departments including marketing, A&R, catalogue, design, and sales, representing approximately 13% of its 185-person workforce. The layoffs were announced on November 18, 2025, the same day new co-general managers Julia Hummel and Madelaine Napoleone were appointed, as part of a global restructuring initiative by Warner Music Group.

Serco, the private company operating 5 Wing Goose Bay military base in Newfoundland and Labrador, laid off five civilian employees including a customer service manager, mechanic, supply operative, workforce planner and HR coordinator. The layoffs were announced despite the federal government's recent commitment to increase defence spending by $81.8 billion over the next five years.

West Fraser announced a mill closure in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, resulting in 165 job losses. The layoffs were announced on November 7, 2025.

Concordia University announced it will not renew limited-term contracts for 63 full-time faculty members as of June 2026 due to a 23% drop in international student enrollment and significant budget shortfalls. The cost-cutting measures also include deferring sabbaticals and offering voluntary retirement packages to full-time faculty, driven by federal and provincial immigration policy restrictions that have reduced the university's revenue projections by approximately $84 million.

Mohawk College laid off at least 380 employees and suspended more than a dozen programs in late 2024 and early 2025 to address an expected $50-million deficit caused by federal caps on international student permits. The college's cuts are part of a broader crisis affecting Ontario colleges, which have collectively cut $1.8 billion, suspended over 600 programs, and eliminated more than 8,000 positions due to reduced international student enrollment.

The federal government's Budget 2025 includes plans to cut 16,000 full-time equivalent positions across dozens of departments over the next three fiscal years, with the goal of reducing the federal public service to 333,000 employees by 2029. Major savings targets include the Canada Revenue Agency ($4.1B), Housing/Infrastructure/Communities ($5.4B), and Veterans Affairs ($4.1B), achieved through program closures, operational efficiencies, and increased AI automation.

Canadian North pilots face layoffs during the first week of bargaining negotiations. The layoffs affect pilots employed by the airline during active contract negotiations.

SRTX Inc., maker of Sheertex pantyhose, is laying off close to 100 employees as part of a strategic review that could result in a company sale or recapitalization. The Montreal-based company hopes to recall the laid-off staff after the review process concludes.

Canadian National Railway Co. laid off approximately 400 managers across rail offices in Canada and the United States due to declining freight volumes related to the U.S. trade war. Key cargo segments including ores and metals (down 10%), automobiles (down 6%), and forest products (down 7.5%) have experienced steep declines in carloads.

Amazon announced plans to cut 14,000 corporate jobs globally, with employees in Canada receiving layoff notifications as part of broader cost-reduction efforts related to AI advancement. The cuts primarily affected managers at levels five to seven across retail, e-commerce, human resources, logistics, and other business divisions.

Canada Post has laid off dozens of managers as part of a restructuring effort amid an ongoing labour dispute. The layoffs occur as mail and parcel delivery resume on a limited basis with rotating strikes continuing.