In December 2025, Ubisoft Halifax made headlines when 61 of its 71 employees voted to join CWA Canada Local 30111, following a wave of union activity alongside Bethesda Game Studios Montreal. Less than three weeks later, Ubisoft announced it was closing the Halifax studio and laying off all 71 workers, insisting the decision was unrelated to the union vote. This move prompted CWA Canada to file an official complaint with the Nova Scotia Labour Board, alleging potential violations of workers’ rights and questioning the studio’s motives.
The controversy has intensified following revelations about the financial support Ubisoft received while operating in Nova Scotia. According to union filings and French Senate documents, Ubisoft was granted nearly $1 billion CAD in tax credits from Canadian governments between 2020 and 2024. CWA Canada criticized the studio for accepting substantial public funding meant to nurture talent and strengthen the local tech ecosystem, only to close operations abruptly, leaving workers without jobs and raising concerns over corporate accountability.
CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth emphasized the impact on local talent, noting that $12 million in provincial subsidies were intended to foster a generation of skilled professionals and support the growth of a tech industry in Halifax. Smyth stated that Ubisoft’s departure, without adequate explanation or compensation, undermines these objectives. The union also continues to assert that the studio’s shutdown was linked to the unionization effort, pointing out that the sudden announcement left staff unprepared and that Ubisoft has yet to substantiate claims that financial necessity drove the closure.
In response to public and legal scrutiny, Ubisoft has reportedly reconsidered severance packages for affected Halifax employees, although broader systemic concerns remain. The situation has sparked debate over how government incentives should be structured to ensure accountability, with calls for policy reforms that could require companies to repay subsidies if they downsize or close operations after receiving public support. Observers note that while Ubisoft Montreal benefited from similar tax incentives to establish a thriving global hub, Halifax’s development into a game studio center was far less pronounced, and the sudden closure now threatens the city’s growing creative sector.
As the complaint with Nova Scotia Labour Board moves forward, the case may have broader implications for labor rights and the use of government incentives in Canada’s creative and technology industries. The unfolding events highlight the delicate balance between attracting international companies through subsidies and safeguarding the interests of workers and local ecosystems.
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