Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

De Beers has begun workforce reduction talks with approximately 5% of employees at the Gahcho Kué diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, affecting around 25 workers out of the mine's 500-person workforce. The layoffs result from the company's decision to pause the Tuzo Phase 3 expansion project due to challenging rough diamond trading conditions and market uncertainty.

Collège Nordique Francophone in Yellowknife, N.W.T. announced layoffs of 7 employees (35% of its 20-person staff) following a significant federal funding cut in September 2025. The college's annual federal funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage was reduced from approximately $2.8 million to about $1.35 million due to a new bilateral funding agreement for minority-language education.

Burgundy Diamond Mines announced the suspension of open pit operations at Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories, laying off several hundred employees and contractors, with the Union of Northern Workers confirming approximately 160 of its members were affected. The company continues mining at the Misery underground site while the layoffs are attributed to weak diamond market conditions, reduced demand in China, and competition from lab-grown diamonds.