Layoffs Canada

A.V. Roe Canada Layoffs 1959 — 14,000 Jobs Cut in Ontario, Canada

14,000
employees affected
Media Report

A.V. Roe Canada laid off more than 14,000 employees on February 20, 1959, following Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's announcement that the Avro Arrow aircraft and Iroquois engine development would be terminated. The layoffs occurred the same afternoon as the cancellation announcement, with additional job losses estimated at 25,000 to 60,000 when supplier and subcontractor positions are included.

Announced Date
February 20, 1959
Effective Date
February 20, 1959
Province
Ontario
City
Malton
Industry
Manufacturing
Laid Off
14,000(Confirmed actual layoffs)
Organization Type
private
Source
News Media
Organization
A.V. Roe Canada

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Sources (1 article)

On 20 February 1959 Canada cancelled one of the most advanced aircraft on Earth, fired more than 14,000 workers the same afternoon, and cut every plane into scrap. The engineers it threw away helped put men on the Moon

19FortyFive·Jul 3, 2026