Canada · 2024–2026
Canadian Layoff Tracker
Aggregating layoffs across Canada from employment standards filings, government notices, SEDAR+ corporate disclosures, union announcements, and verified media reporting
Last updated: July 16, 2026
People Laid Off
Companies
Industries Affected
Canadian Layoff Trends
This tracker currently covers layoff events from 320 companies, affecting more than 140,910 workers across Canada. Data is sourced from government labour adjustment notices, SEDAR filings, union statements, and verified media reporting.
The technology, financial services, and retail sectors have historically accounted for the largest share of reported layoffs — a pattern consistent with broader North American economic cycles. Ontario and British Columbia, home to the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters, tend to represent the largest share of national layoff volumes.
GM Canada is cutting one of three shifts at its Oshawa plant, affecting up to 1,200 autoworkers throughout the auto supply chain, with approximately 500 being direct GM employees. The layoffs take effect on Friday, January 31, 2026, as the company scales back Canadian operations citing forecasted demand and the evolving trade environment.
General Motors is cutting one of three shifts at its Oshawa plant in January 2026, resulting in approximately 2,000 layoffs. Despite the shift reduction, GM is investing $280 million to build the next generation of Chevrolet Silverados at the plant, which currently employs around 3,000 workers.
Scotiabank has reportedly conducted a new round of layoffs at its Toronto office, with positions being eliminated. According to reports, these roles are being outsourced to lower-cost foreign countries including India, the Philippines, and Latin American nations.
Chatham-Kent Health announced layoffs in September 2025. The article discusses severance rights related to these layoffs.
Algoma University is laying off between 50 and 75 employees to manage a $5.5 million to $7 million operating deficit caused by a 60% drop in international student enrolment, which exceeded the 50% decrease projected in April's budget. The university's fall enrolment is anticipated to be approximately 4,482 students, roughly half of the previous year's total of over 9,000 students across all campuses.
TFT Global Inc., an auto parts supplier at General Motors' Oshawa plant, is laying off 245 of its 873 hourly workers on September 26, 2025. The layoffs are connected to GM's planned reduction of a third shift at the facility amid U.S. tariffs threatening Canada's auto sector.
General Motors has postponed the closure of its third shift at the Oshawa plant from November 2025 to January 30, 2026, affecting approximately 750 workers. The delay also extends employment for around 1,500 auto parts supplier workers who depend on the plant's production of Chevrolet Silverado trucks.
Conestoga College suspended multiple programs due to low enrollment numbers, resulting in layoff notices being issued to 11 full-time faculty members and 2 counsellors. The college also reduced its counselling staff from 10 to 7 positions, affecting student mental health services.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is cutting approximately 320 jobs, representing 10 per cent of its workforce, as part of a post-pandemic recalibration effort. Letters to impacted employees are expected to be distributed the following week.
Crown Royal announced the closure of its Amherstburg plant in Ontario, resulting in layoffs of 200 workers. The plant closure represents a significant impact on the local workforce in the region.
Queen's University's Faculty of Arts and Science laid off four Chemistry department staff members in July 2025 due to budget cuts, including positions for a Computer Network Administrator, Technical Support Assistant, Electronics Technician, and Chemical Stores role. Five additional FAS support staff had their positions eliminated but were reassigned to new roles within the faculty, as part of broader cost-reduction efforts.
Diageo Canada announced the closure of its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, which bottles Canadian-made Crown Royal whisky, resulting in the loss of 160 jobs. Unifor Local 200 president John D'Agnolo vowed to fight the closure and called on the LCBO to remove Crown Royal from shelves to pressure the company economically.
The Thames Valley District School Board in London, Ontario has cut approximately 115 staff positions, including around 47 teachers, library and guidance staff, and learning support positions, following the province's takeover in April due to a budget deficit exceeding $30 million. The board is also now allowing unqualified first and second-year education students to join supply teacher lists to address ongoing staffing challenges.
Toronto-based Clutch laid off 148 staff members, representing approximately two-thirds of its workforce. The layoffs followed rapid expansion into western provinces as the company pulled back to refocus on its core business in Eastern Canada.
Qualtech Seating Systems, a Magna International-owned auto parts plant in London, Ontario, will close permanently on October 10, 2025, resulting in nearly 50 job losses. The closure is attributed to the extended shutdown of the CAMI Ingersoll GM plant, which has been idle since May 2025 due to decreased demand for the Brightdrop van.
Stellantis laid off a small number of workers at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario on Friday, August 15, 2025, with one worker estimating approximately 100 employees were affected. The layoffs are attributed to volume adjustments and a shift away from electric muscle car production, following the company's postponement of the 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona R/T model.
Wonderbrands announced it is ending sliced bread production at its Sudbury facility, resulting in 50 full and part-time job losses effective October 6, 2025. The company cited sustained industry-wide shifts in bread consumption and changing consumer preferences toward diverse bread varieties as the reason for the closure of sliced bread production, while bun roll production will continue.
Toronto-based biotech AI startup BenchSci cut 23% of its staff (about 83 jobs) since May 2025 as it shifts to become an AI-first company, using generative AI tools to automate work previously done by humans. The layoffs include a 20% reduction in software engineering roles and are part of the company's strategy to increase efficiency rather than responding to business challenges.
Titan Tool and Die Limited has locked out unionized workers at its Windsor auto parts stamping facility, with roughly 60 employees on staff but only 27 actively working due to prior layoffs. The lockout began on August 11, 2025, after the collective agreement expired on July 31 and the company requested concessions, citing the need to remain competitive in the tariff economy.
Alexandria Moulding, a North Glengarry-based building products and moulding manufacturer, confirmed that 25 employees out of nearly 400 were laid off in June 2025 as part of a strategic realignment to phase out certain manufacturing activities. The company cited evolving customer needs and rising input costs as factors in the decision, while continuing to operate and invest in its door-hanging business for long-term growth.
Laid off in Canada?
Estimate your EI regular benefits using your EI economic region, insurable hours, and weekly earnings. It is a fast first-pass tool, not a Service Canada decision.