Bell Canada has announced a workforce reduction of around 690 employees, primarily in managerial roles, as part of its efforts to trim debt and foster growth. This round of layoffs comes after a significant number of job cuts within the company in the previous year.
The latest downsizing initiative by Bell targets about 650 non-unionized managerial positions nationwide, accounting for less than two percent of its total workforce. Additionally, Canada’s leading telecommunications company is set to eliminate roughly 40 positions at Bell Media, its media and entertainment subsidiary.
In a statement to CBC News via email, Bell stated that the decision to eliminate managerial roles was a tough yet essential one, aligning with the company’s strategic plan for sustainable growth over the next three years. While details on the Bell Media layoffs were not disclosed, Bell expressed gratitude to the affected employees for their commitment and contributions.
Earlier in the year, Bell offered severance packages to 1,200 unionized workers, citing unprecedented industry challenges as the reason. The Canadian telecom sector has experienced a growth slowdown in recent times, prompting major players like BCE and Rogers to divest assets in a bid to cut expenses.
In a strategic move, Bell divested its 37.5 percent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) to Rogers for $4.7 billion in September. Subsequently, Bell announced a $5 billion acquisition of U.S.-based telecom company Ziply a few months later.
Over the past eighteen months, Bell has implemented numerous job cuts, including 1,300 layoffs in June 2023 and a significant reduction of 4,800 employees in February 2024, along with the closure of several radio stations. Further layoffs, particularly targeting technical staff, were announced in June of the same year.