BCE lays off almost 700 staff as part of new growth strategy

BCE Inc. is laying off nearly 700 non-unionized employees, including 650 management positions across Bell Canada and 40 roles in Bell Media.

BCE Inc. BCE-T is laying off nearly 700 non-unionized employees as part of its three-year strategy to reduce leverage and focus on growth areas, the latest in a series of telecom-sector cuts.

The cuts include approximately 650 management positions across Bell Canada, representing about 2 per cent of its total workforce, and 40 roles in Bell Media, representing 1 per cent of Bell Media employees, the telecom and media company said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

The Bell Media cuts are “predominantly” in corporate departments, the company said, as opposed to on-air talent.

The company said it is continuing to invest in its strategic priority a