Unifor announced late Wednesday that 45 of its members working at the network in Alberta and B.C. had been subjected to layoffs, with an additional member impacted in the Eastern bargaining unit. Of the 46 jobs affected, the union said 26 are journalists.

A Corus spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue on Thursday that the new round of layoffs is just the latest measure taken as part of an ongoing efficiency review process.

“As part of our efficiency review process across Corus, we have made some difficult but necessary changes to create a more sustainable future for the company and our News division,” the spokesperson said, in an emailed statement. “We are applying new workflows and ways of working, using the latest technology that will enable us to pave the way forward for the future of Global News. As a result, certain roles within some stations have been impacted.”

“Corus’ commitment to serving our audience across the country remains stronger than ever, and we will continue to tell important local news stories that matter to Canadians,” she added. “Corus is committed to providing information to our audiences and remain dedicated to upholding our responsibility as a trusted new source.”

In its Q3 earnings report in June, the company said it was anticipating a further year-over-year TV advertising revenue decline of 20% in Q4, citing geopolitical and economic uncertainty and an over-supply of premium digital video inventory from foreign competitors.

Corus slashed employee costs by seven per cent in the third quarter. The company last undertook major layoffs in the Global News division in August 2024 that resulted in more resource-sharing between the Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge TV newsrooms, among other changes. The company reorganized its Audio division in August 2023, and this past June made a sweeping round of layoffs that primarily impacted its Ottawa radio properties. The company has also paused new productions at its children’s content studio, Nelvana.

Corus shares on the TSX on Thursday morning were trading down slightly, hovering around nine cents.

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According to the union, the cuts have impacted members in B.C. and Alberta, with one member in the Eastern bargaining unit. Of the 46 jobs impacted, 26 are journalists.

“The most recent Global News layoffs are a devastating blow to local news across the country and to our democracy,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne, in a statement. “We will support our members through this difficult and uncertain time.”

A source to Broadcast Dialogue said the main teams hit at Global BC, included those working in online, as well as techs and part-time editors.

More to come.

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A source to Broadcast Dialogue confirms the cuts include Tim Morgan, who hosted the morning shows on both boom 99.7 and Big 101.1 (CIQB-FM) Barrie and worked with Corus for 17 years – the last nine in mornings; as well as JUMP! drive host Dayna Brez, who had been with the station for a decade; boom afternoon drive host Dylan Black, who’d been with the station since 2013; boom music assistant and weekend announcer Dave Nelson, who also hosted the morning show on BIG FM (CFMK-FM) Kingston; JUMP! weekend announcer Drew (Andrew Schofield); along with boom personality Jimmy Kalaitzis.

Also caught up in the Ottawa layoffs are longtime promotions coordinator Ryan Forsyth, who had been with the company for 13 years; music director Mike Lavallee, who had worked with Corus for 16 years; and show producer/board op Kayla Choules.

Syndicated evening personality Damian Rickards (aka Mr. D.), who hosted @Night on nine Corus stations in Ontario, including JUMP! remains with the company, Corus confirmed, however @Night has been cancelled.

“Today, after 13 years, I was informed my position in radio has been eliminated and I was let go,” Forsyth wrote in a post to LinkedIn. “I’ve had the greatest journey, incredible memories and once in a lifetime opportunities in the radio businesses. Most of all, I’ve met some of the best people and got to work with them.”

“It’s the only job I’ve known as an adult, and all I wanted to do,” he continued. “I’m grateful I got to do it for so long.”

Some programming on both Ottawa stations had already been provided by voices from elsewhere in the Corus network, including Tucker & Maura, who are heard in mornings on both 102.1 The Edge (CFNY-FM) Toronto and JUMP!; Fresh Radio (CHAY-FM) Barrie morning show host Tara Dawn Winstone, who is heard in middays on boom 99.7; and Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Calgary morning host Josie Balka, who voicetracks middays on JUMP!

Meanwhile in Vancouver, afternoon drive duo Tyler & Lynch have been scrubbed from the CFOX website. Drex, who has been heard in afternoon drive on 102.1 The Edge Toronto, as well as mornings on 107.3 The Edge (CFGQ-FM) Calgary, was featured in the time slot on Tuesday. Several layoffs behind-the-scenes have also been reported at Corus’ Vancouver news/talk station CKNW.

“We can confirm that as part of our efficiency review process across Corus, we made some difficult but necessary changes that will enable us to pave the way forward for Corus’ FM Radio and Talk Radio,” a spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue. “As a result, certain roles at select stations have been impacted, including stations in the Ottawa and Vancouver markets.”

The layoffs come ahead of the company’s release of its third quarter financial results on June 26 and less than a week after Corus parted ways with Co-CEO Troy Reeb to move back to a single CEO structure, among other executive changes.

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