Canada’s unions alarmed and concerned by the layoff of 1,300 Bell workers
Bruske: The timing of these layoffs couldn’t be worse. Now more than ever, we need impartial and factual local news
OTTAWA –– “Canada’s unions are deeply troubled by the Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE Inc.) decision to eliminate 1,300 positions during a period of heightened economic uncertainty across Canada. These job losses will cause further pain for hundreds of families.
“What we are seeing is another wealthy corporation justifying job cuts as part of a “reorganization.” While the company cites pandemic-related losses in its radio business, Bell could have taken alternative measures to safeguard employment while awaiting regulatory changes being brought forward by the federal government through Bill C-11 and Bill C-18. Instead, it chose to terminate the employment of 1,300 individuals.
“Bell’s impatience with regards to Bill C-11 has resulted in the closure of six radio stations and the sale of three others, as well as CTV’s foreign bureaus. This development is particularly concerning as Canadians rely on a strong media sector and high-quality journalism to stay informed and engaged. These cuts are a blow to democracy, and smaller communities will be disproportionately impacted.
“The layoff of experienced, hardworking, and talented journalists, who provide Canadians with accurate and unbiased news, is a great loss at a time when disinformation and misinformation are proliferating across all communication platforms. In light of these developments, the government must step up to safeguard local news and protect working people – and fast.”
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CLC Media Relations
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