Universal Music Canada Lays Off Staff Across Several Departments
The major Canadian record label has reportedly cut more than 12 jobs throughout the company in communications, marketing, A&R and more, including senior roles.
Universal Music Canada (UMC) has laid off employees across several departments, Billboard Canada has learned.
The layoffs were reportedly announced to staff in a company town hall at the major record label yesterday (Sept. 29). Sources say more than 12 roles were included in the announcement. According to a 2025 annual report by Universal Music Canada, the company employs approximately 205 people, so the cuts represent approximately 6-7% of the label's workforce in Canada. UMC did not respond to a request to verify the number of layoffs.
Cuts were made across divisions, including positions in communications, marketing, A&R, label partnerships and admin. That includes senior roles at the label, with at least one with a vice president title and another with a senior manager title.
Universal Music Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Universal Music Group (UMG) headquartered in Toronto, with offices also in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. The layoffs reportedly affected multiple offices.
The cuts were reportedly made for cost-cutting and restructuring reasons and not based on performance.
Globally, in 2024, Universal Music Group announced a “strategic organizational redesign" meant to generate €250 million in savings within two years. UMG chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge said that it would result in “reduced headcount” and “efficiencies.” Dozens of layoffs came soon after, across the major group's labels, including Interscope, Republic, Capitol, Def Jam and Island.
The layoffs at UMC are the biggest staff reduction at the Canadian wing of the major label since Julie Adam was promoted to the top role of president and CEO at the beginning of 2025. She succeeded Jeffrey Remedios, who shifted roles to president of strategic development at REPUBLIC Collective after a decade leading UMC.
Adam was named Executive of the Year at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2025 and was named the No. 1 Power Player in the Labels category as part of Billboard Canada Power Players 2026, stressing the position of UMC as a strong market leader amongst major labels in Canada and recent signings of rising Canadian artists.
UMC declined to comment on this story, writing that the company does not comment on employee relations.
"UMC continues to be Canada’s leading music company — proudly signing and supporting Canadian artists and representing UMG’s global roster of talent in the Canadian market," a representative from the company says in a message to Billboard Canada.
The layoffs fit a trend of cost-cutting and consolidation throughout the global music industry as well as domestically.
UMC is one of three major labels in Canada, alongside Sony Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Last year, Warner Music Canada underwent its own restructuring following the departure of then-president Kristen Burke, laying off at least 12% of its workforce.
This is a developing story.
