Ubisoft Closes Halifax Studio Just After Employees Unionized

The layoffs across the video game industry are getting started early in 2026. Ubisoft has announced the closure of Ubisoft Halifax.

The closure will see 71 people lose their jobs.

The news of the studio’s shutdown comes just days after it was announced that 61 of the studio’s employees joined the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Local 30111. The certification for the union came on December 18, 2025, and was branded as the Ubisoft Workers of Canada, Halifax.

In a statement, Ubisoft says that decision comes after two years of “company-wide actions to streamline operations”.

“Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs,” the company said. “As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio. 71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance.”

The decision, Ubisoft claims, was made “well before” the staff unionized. Ubisoft added that it respected its employees right to join a union. Insider Gaming has reached out for a statement from members of the Union. Should that be received, it will be added to this story.

Prior to its closure, Ubisoft Halifax was working on mobile games for Rainbow Six and Assassin’s Creed.

What do you think of Ubisoft shutting down its Halifax studio, especially after the recent news of the studio unionizing? Leave your thoughts down in the comments and join the discussion in the Insider Gaming Discord server.

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