Global News Cuts 45 Jobs in BC and Alberta

Global News has announced the elimination of 45 positions across Canada, with the majority affecting British Columbia and Alberta. This move is part of a broader trend of layoffs at Corus Entertainment, the parent company, raising significant concerns about the future of local journalism in the country.

Details of the Layoffs

According to Unifor, the union representing employees, 22 jobs were lost in BC, 23 in Alberta, and one in the eastern division. Notably, 26 of those affected are journalists, highlighting the impact on news reporting capabilities. Unifor's national president, Lana Payne, described the layoffs as a "devastating blow to local news across the country and to our democracy." The union has pledged to support its members through these changes.

Among the journalists let go is Simon Little, an award-winning online journalist based in BC. Little expressed his disappointment on social media, noting that he had avoided layoffs for a decade but his "luck ran out today." He emphasized the dismantling of a strong newsroom team and called for public awareness of the challenges faced by local journalists.

Company Response and Broader Context

Corus Entertainment confirmed the layoffs, attributing them to an "efficiency review process." In a statement, the company mentioned that new technology and workflows are being implemented to "pave the way forward for the future of Global News." They assured that their commitment to serving audiences remains strong, with a focus on telling important local news stories.

These cuts are not isolated; they follow a series of reductions at Corus and Global over the past year. In August 2024, 16 positions were eliminated, mostly in BC, preceded by 55 layoffs in July, 35 in June, and 11 earlier in the year. Additionally, the company shut down a Hamilton AM radio station that had been operating for nearly a century. Unifor warns that these repeated layoffs signal deeper issues within the Canadian media landscape, potentially threatening the vitality of local news.