Bell Canada cuts almost 700 jobs as part of plan to deliver ‘sustainable growth’

The parent company of Bell Canada is slashing nearly 700 jobs in what it is calling a “difficult but necessary decision.”

BCE Inc. confirmed in an email Thursday that approximately 650 manager positions at Bell, along with around 40 jobs at its Bell Media subsidiary, are affected.

The company said that represents less than two per cent of Bell’s total workforce and less than one per cent of the Bell Media team, respectively. It said no unionized employees had been laid off.

The media division cuts are “predominantly” in corporate departments, the company said.

Bell spokeswoman Katherine Cuplinskas said the move was made “to better align our team structure with our growth plan.”

“We know this is difficult for those who are impacted and we are supporting each person affected,” she said.