Tech companies, retailers and more have all begun shedding members of their workforce in a bid to navigate the economic downturn.BCE Inc.: The Montreal-based telecommunications giant said on Feb. 8 it was cutting 4,800 jobs"at all levels of the company," although some of the job losses were to come from vacancies and natural attrition rather than layoffs.
The Body Shop Canada Ltd.: Court documents showed the subsidiary of the international cosmetics retailer planned to lay off about 200 workers in March as it sought creditor protection and closed 33 stores. The filings also revealed 20 head office employees and two contractors had recently been cut. Corus Entertainment Inc.: The broadcaster confirmed in February that it had laid off an unspecified number of workers across several stations. Then, in June, Unifor said 35 of its members at Global News were laid off as part of changes made by Corus.
Factory Direct: The Vaughan, Ont., electronics and home good retailer said in court documents filed in February that it would terminate 200 employees as the company winds down. Hudson's Bay Co.: The department store chain cut fewer than 100 people, representing less than one per cent of its workforce on April 30.
Lion Electric Co.: The electric bus company announced on Feb. 29 that it was laying off 100 more employees or about seven per cent of its total workforce in a move to reduce costs. The company also announced on April 18 that it was cutting another 120 employees, and a further 300 starting July 31. Another 400 jobs were temporarily slashed in December.
Mountain Equipment Co.: The Vancouver-based outdoor gear retailer says it laid off 14 people, or less than one per cent of its 1,700 staff, in January as it completed"major operational programs and initiatives." Rogers: The telecommunications firm's sports and media division said in November that it had cut a"few dozen" jobs in its audio business amid an unpredictable advertising market that has led to declining revenue.