Layoffs are coming at St. John’s City Hall and Mile One as the capital copes with a significant budget deficit heading into 2021.
The objective is to balance the budget without a tax increase.
The budget comes down December 7 but St. John’s is already making changes. 16 full-time positions will be reduced across the organization. While 10 of those are currently vacant positions that will not be filled, eight people have been given layoff notices and are in the process of determining bumping rights.
In addition, due to the uncertainty of large-scale events such as hockey, basketball and concerts, St. John’s Sports and Entertainment has terminated five full-time positions and laid off a further two full-timers.
Councillor Dave Lane, the lead for finance, says staff have been directed to look carefully at whether replacements are necessary for both unionized and management staff who have announced their retirements.
He says the layoffs will be felt internally rather than on services.