CWA vows legal action after Ubisoft closes newly unionized Halifax studio

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<p>Ubisoft has officially confirmed the shuttering of Ubisoft Halifax, the studio responsible for *Assassin's Creed Rebellion* and *Rainbow Six Mobile*. The announcement comes just weeks after the division successfully voted to unionize, prompting labor groups to explore potential legal action.</p>

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<p>The closure results in the loss of 71 positions, affecting personnel who managed mobile adaptations of Ubisoft's most prominent franchises. Despite the timing, the publisher maintains that the studio's dissolution is entirely unrelated to its recent unionization.</p>

<p>This development follows only three weeks after a vast majority of the Halifax workforce <a href="https://cwacanada.ca/2025/12/18/ubisoft-halifax-workers-win-certification-vote-officially-join-cwa-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted in favor</a> of joining the Game &amp; Media Workers Guild of Canada and CWA Canada. The union had received its official certification a mere week ago, representing the first successful labor organization for a North American Ubisoft team.</p>

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<p>In a formal statement, Ubisoft attributed the decision to broader financial restructuring: "Over the last 24 months, Ubisoft has implemented company-wide measures to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and reduce overhead. As part of these efforts, we have made the difficult choice to close our Halifax studio, affecting 71 roles. We are committed to supporting all impacted staff during this transition, providing comprehensive severance packages and career placement assistance."</p>

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<p>CWA Canada has intervened following the news. While the organization is not yet officially accusing Ubisoft of illegal union-busting, they are pursuing legal avenues to ensure the rights of these employees are protected. Carmel Smyth, president of CWA Canada, <a href="https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/ubisoft-closes-halifax-studio-weeks-after-workers-vote-to-unionize" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a> that the news is "shattering" and confirmed that the union is "demanding information" to understand the precise justification for the closure.</p>

<p>Ubisoft has been steadily downsizing its global workforce, having recently implemented layoffs at Ubisoft Massive, the team behind *Star Wars Outlaws* and the *The Division* series.</p>

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<p>CEO Yves Guillemot has also sought external partnerships to stabilize the company, recently securing significant backing from the conglomerate <a href="https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/tag/tencent/" target="_blank">Tencent</a> to establish Vantage Studios. This new subsidiary now manages high-profile Ubisoft intellectual properties, including *Assassin’s Creed* and *Far Cry*.</p>

<p><em>Stay informed with our guide to <a href="#">every upcoming Ubisoft release</a>.</em></p>

Source: gamesradar.com