In Canada: Universal Music Canada Lays Off Staff Across Several Departments

Universal Music Canada (UMC) has recently announced the downsizing of its workforce across multiple departments, leaving approximately 12 employees without jobs, according to sources. This marks roughly 6-7% of the label's Canadian workforce, which UMC employs around 205 people as reported in their 2025 annual report. Despite requests for confirmation, UMC has not yet clarified the exact number of layoffs.

The affected personnel span various divisions such as communications, marketing, A&R, label partnerships, and administration, including senior positions with titles ranging from vice president to senior manager.

The reductions were implemented for cost-cutting and restructuring purposes, not due to individual performances. These cuts have affected offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary. UMC, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG) based in Toronto, maintains its position as Canada's leading music company, signing and supporting Canadian artists while representing UMG's global roster in the Canadian market.

A UMC spokesperson reiterated this stance to Billboard Canada, emphasizing the company's commitment to the Canadian music industry.

These layoffs align with a broader trend of cost-cutting measures seen across the global music industry, following Universal Music Group's (UMG) 2024 strategic organizational redesign aimed at generating €250 million in savings over two years. This decision reflects a series of staff reductions across UMG's major labels, including Interscope, Republic, Capitol, Def Jam, and Island, following the promotion of Julie Adam to the position of president and CEO of UMC in early 2025, succeeding Jeffrey Remedios who moved to the role of president of strategic development at REPUBLIC Collective.