Here is a summary of some layoff announcements made in December, to close the year 2024
The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) has announced a major restructuring involving 36 positions, including two at the management level. This reorganization, which aims to optimize organizational performance without affecting public transit services, will result in recurring savings estimated at $3 million.
This initiative is taking place in a difficult economic context and with the imminent creation of the agency Mobilité Infra Québec. The ARTM Director General states that these adjustments respond to the need to optimize available resources.
Notable changes include the number of executive directorates being reduced from six to four, and the Steering Committee being reduced from ten to six members. The total workforce is down by 15%, or about 30 permanent posts. In addition, the ratio of managers is changing, with each manager now supervising eight employees instead of four.
This restructuring also reflects a broader trend in Quebec, where transportation companies are looking at savings of nearly $350 million, as revealed by recent performance audits. The ARTM is committed to meeting these economic challenges while maintaining its commitment to users.
Lion Electric, a Quebec manufacturer of electric vehicles, has been granted a two-week grace period to repay its loans, extending the maturity date to December 16, 2024. This decision comes after an ultimatum from the Quebec government demanding a business partner before noon on Saturday to avoid the cessation of its financial support. The company faces major challenges, having announced 400 new temporary layoffs, bringing the total to 920 for 2024.
Lion is reducing its staff to 300 employees to focus on vehicle manufacturing, sales and maintenance. Its Joliet, Illinois plant is suspended, while the impact on its Mirabel and Saint-Jérôme sites remains uncertain. The company is exploring various options, including selling assets or applying for creditor protection against a debt of US$293 million.
Despite these difficulties, discussions with investors offer some moderate hope. The governments of Quebec and Canada, which have invested $177 million and $30 million respectively, are closely monitoring the situation. Experts point out that this deferral could save the company, which is crucial for electrifying transportation, while minimizing the impact on employees and communities.
Lightspeed Commerce, a Montreal-based company specializing in point of sale software, has announced a new wave of job cuts, with approximately 200 jobs eliminated. This decision is part of a strategic reorganization to maximize long-term growth and optimize resources. These layoffs, which follow a reduction of 280 jobs in April, reflect the company’s efforts to refocus under the leadership of Dax Dasilva, who returned as CEO in February.
Savings will be reinvested in priority areas, such as North American retail and European hospitality. Lightspeed is also continuing its restructuring efforts, with an ongoing strategic review that could include a potential sale or other major changes. However, the company states that these layoffs do not impede this process.
Despite these reductions, Lightspeed continues to recruit for positions in technology, products and marketing. The goal remains to increase the adoption of its financial software and services. Analysts, while recognizing the challenges, see the company as having balanced growth potential. The reorganization, however, resulted in an 8% decline in the value of Lightspeed’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Desjardins announced the layoffs of 35 employees at its Complexe Desjardins in Montreal and a dozen others on rue des Commandeurs in Lévis, just before the holidays. The workers affected received the announcement on November 29, with their employment officially ending on February 21, according to the notice of termination. These deletions come in a delicate context, just weeks before the Christmas celebrations, raising concerns among employees and their families.
According to the organization’s spokesperson, these measures are part of regular adjustments within an organization with 55,000 employees. He noted that Desjardins is working to help people find new positions internally, although little detail has been provided on the efforts.
Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) laid off 62 employees in November at its Sherbrooke and Valcourt facilities, citing economic reasons. 15 positions were cut in Sherbrooke, while 18 employees were laid off in Valcourt. These deletions mainly concern professionals and executives, according to BRP’s global public relations manager.
In addition to Sherbrooke and Valcourt, 60 other employees were laid off in Montreal. However, BRP points out that these adjustments remain modest compared to its 20,000 global employees at the beginning of 2024.
BRP explained that fiscal year 2025 was marked by challenges, exacerbated by declining consumer demand, a situation that could last until the end of 2025. Downsizing is part of an expense management strategy to ensure the future resilience and growth of the business.
BRP anticipates a rebound as economic conditions improve, building on its proven resilience to industry cycles, as the company is expected to release its third quarter financial results for fiscal 2025 in the near future.
Paccar’s Quebec plant in Sainte-Thérèse has announced the layoff of 250 employees, marking the end of its night shift. This decision, described as unexpected by the Unifor union, comes three weeks after the renewal of a collective agreement, which was concluded without conflict for the first time since the plant’s reopening in 1999. The union, representing 1,400 employees, plans further discussions with the employer to address this situation.
In September, Paccar had considered laying off around 100 employees while attempting to preserve the night shift. However, these efforts proved insufficient.
Paccar, an American truck manufacturer based in Washington State, appears compelled to downsize its workforce despite recent negotiations focused on job preservation.