‘This is a critical moment to support Canadian jobs and Canadian journalists—especially when democracy itself is under attack’

Recent Bell Media layoffs are having an impact on staffing at CTV in northern Ontario, including here in North Bay. 

In a Unifor release, the Union outlined 11 layoffs, among them five newly unionized CTV National News members from Unifor Local 79-M in Toronto, as well as employees in North Bay,  Halifax, Edmonton, and Calgary.

Sources say the layoff in North Bay of a commercial editor/photographer brings the CTV staff number down in the Gateway City to one.

Back in 2020, CTV North Bay sold its Oak Street building and remaining employees worked remotely.

In its heyday in the late ’90s, the building housed 55 employees in what was then Mid Canada Television/CHUR, better known as MCTV.

Unifor officials are deeply concerned by Bell Media’s announcement of layoffs impacting 20 Unifor members, who they believe delivered quality, fact-based journalism to Canadians from coast to coast.

“This is a critical moment to support Canadian jobs and Canadian journalists—especially when democracy itself is under attack,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a release. 

“Unifor will stand with our media members as they navigate this uncertainty. These cuts strike at the heart of Canadian journalism. Every newsroom job eliminated means fewer Canadian stories told, fewer facts verified, and less accountability for those in power. When journalism is weakened, democracy is weakened—and Canadians are the ones who pay the price.”

Also affected are traffic coordinators, schedulers, and promotional coordinators from Locals 723-M and 79-M in Toronto. Unifor is working to ensure the collective agreements are being adhered to, as well as reviewing the legality of the terminations involving the five National News members.

“Expanding journalist tax credits to include broadcasters could have prevented these job losses,” Payne said.

“Instead, these cuts are deepening Canada’s news deserts—including in major urban centres. News in this country is at crisis levels, and urgent action is needed.”

See related: End of an Era. CTV closes its North Bay Oak St. location