CWA Canada demands documents from Ubisoft over Halifax studio closure

HALIFAX (Jan. 8, 2026) – As workers at Ubisoft Halifax deal with the devastating news that they are now unemployed, CWA Canada is pushing for answers as to why the company unexpectedly shuttered the location.

Today, CWA Canada lawyers called Ubisoft demanding documents, emails and other information related to its claim that the decision was based solely on financial necessity.

The union has vowed to “pursue every legal recourse” to protect its members after the company announced yesterday that it is shutting down the operation – just three weeks after the union was certified to represent about 60 workers.

A Ubisoft spokesperson would only commit to providing such information next week.

In Canada, it is unlawful for a business to close because its workers decide to unionize. The company must provide information about the reason for the sudden decision to close.

The union was not notified in any way prior to the closure announcement.

“Typically, in cases where employers are planning big layoffs, they share that info with the union in confidence before announcing it,” CWA Canada President Carmel Smyth said.

“Ubisoft is highly unionized internationally; its managers are aware of that. Why they choose not to follow standard practice, we do not know. But it raises the question: what is different about Canadian workers compared to its unionized workforce in France and other European countries?”

As CWA Canada seeks answers and a path forward for its members, it will also be pressing Ubisoft to reassign or find alternate work at other studios in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

“Why not help people keep their careers and lives on track?” Smyth asked. “Why penalize Nova Scotia workers and their families? Do the right thing.”

The devastating closure news comes after Ubisoft lobbied for and was granted $11 million in provincial tax credits over the last eight years.

Ubisoft employes 17,000 people globally as part of the highly profitable video game industry. There have offices in Toronto, Winnipeg and four cities in Quebec.

Ubisoft Halifax includes about 60 producers, programmers, designers, artists, researchers and development testers. They are part of CWA Canada Local 30111, which includes nearly 120 game workers at Bethesda Game Studios (BGS) in Montreal, and staff at the Montreal Gazette newspaper.

CWA Canada is the country’s only all-media union, representing 6,000 workers at the CBC, The Canadian Press, and newspapers, tech, digital media, video gaming, and other companies coast to coast.