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.

Aurora Group of Companies laid off all 90 of its mechanics and welders at the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories due to missed payments from mine owner Burgundy Diamond Mines, which owes approximately $8 million in arrears. The layoffs occurred in stages between June and September 2025 as the company faced financial challenges attributed to record-low diamond prices and U.S. tariffs disrupting the global diamond trade.

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.