Oct 20 – Oct 26, 2025

Kitchener Public Library announced a restructuring that will result in 5 layoffs while simultaneously creating 4 new full-time positions and 1 new part-time position. The union representing library workers warns that the changes will reduce the number of staff overseeing community programs from 36 to 12 full-time roles, potentially impacting library services and specialized programs.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has announced 300 job cuts as the transit authority faces two upcoming strikes. The layoffs come amid labor tensions with STM mechanics and other staff.

Sinclar Group Forest Products announced a 40 per cent reduction in work hours affecting approximately 350 sawmill workers across three B.C. mills (Lakeland Mills in Prince George, Apollo Forest Products in Fort St. James, and Nechako Lumber Co. in Vanderhoof) effective October 27, 2025. The cutbacks were attributed to Trump tariffs and duties on Canadian softwood exports, combined with provincial policy challenges and fibre supply uncertainty.

PACCAR announced 300 additional layoffs at its Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec plant due to heavy-duty truck tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. This follows previous layoffs in December 2024 and July 2025, prompting Unifor to call for a domestic procurement plan to save the facility.

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.

Molson Coors announced layoffs that will include Canadian workers as part of broader job cuts. The company stated that the layoffs are not driven by tariffs.

Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is facing planned federal funding cuts of approximately 80 percent, with full-time staff numbers expected to decrease by almost 200 employees. The cuts would significantly impact grassroots and frontline organizations across Canada that provide support to survivors of gender-based violence.

Unions at Western University in London, Ontario staged a protest demonstration against job losses at the institution. The article highlights union concerns about employment reductions, with the protest message emphasizing that 'one job lost is one too many.'

Coast Mountain College in northwest British Columbia is closing its Hazelton campus and cutting staff by approximately 20 percent to offset a $4 million annual budget shortfall caused by a 90 percent drop in international student enrollment. The college is also selling buildings in Houston and Kitimat while maintaining operations in Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, and Haida Gwaii.

The City of Vancouver has implemented a back-to-office mandate requiring non-union employees to return five days per week and unionized staff three days per week starting January 1, 2026, amid cost-cutting measures ahead of the 2026 budget. Some non-union employees have already been laid off in recent months, with potentially hundreds of additional job cuts expected, and the city manager has mentioned offering early retirement and incentives for departure from the organization.