Group termination (mass termination)

A group termination is ending many employees' jobs at one location in a short period. It triggers extra notice rules, often including notice to government.

Also called: mass termination, mass layoff, collective dismissal

What group termination (mass termination) means

A group termination, called a mass termination in Ontario, is when an employer ends the employment of a large number of people at one location within a short window. When it crosses the threshold in your jurisdiction, special rules kick in: longer notice periods, written notice to the government, and sometimes extra information for the employees.

Most small businesses will never reach the thresholds, which differ by jurisdiction; in the four listed below it is 50 employees. But a business closing a site, or one with a large seasonal workforce, should know where the line is before planning cuts.

How it works

Count carefully. The rules usually apply to terminations at a single location or establishment within a rolling window, such as any 4-week period. Terminations spread over a few weeks can still add up. Ontario counts all employees covered by its ESA, not only those who are owed notice.

In Ontario and British Columbia, the notice depends on how many people are affected, not on each person's length of service: larger groups get longer notice. In some jurisdictions, such as Ontario, the notice to employees does not start until the government has received its copy.

Plan for paperwork. You may need to file a specific form, post it in the workplace, give copies to employees and any union, and in the federal system set up a joint planning committee. Each affected employee also needs a Record of Employment, usually with code A for shortage of work.

Group termination rules sit alongside individual entitlements. Severance pay, final pay deadlines and common-law notice still apply to each person.

Group termination (mass termination) by province

Thresholds, notice lengths and who receives the notice differ. These are the rules we confirmed.

Where the work is done	The rule
Federal	50 or more employees at a single industrial establishment on the same date or within any 4 weeks: 16 weeks' written notice to the Head of Compliance and Enforcement, with copies to the Minister, the Employment Insurance Commission and the union or employees. A joint planning committee must meet within 2 weeks of the notice.
British Columbia	50 or more at a single location within 2 months: written group notice to each employee, the Minister of Labour and any union. 8 weeks for 50 to 100 employees, 12 weeks for 101 to 300, 16 weeks for 301 or more.
Alberta	50 or more at a single location within 4 weeks: at least 4 weeks' written notice to the minister responsible for employment standards. Individual termination notices are still required. Not required for temporary layoffs.
Ontario	50 or more at one establishment within 4 weeks: 8 weeks' notice for 50 to 199 employees, 12 weeks for 200 to 499, 16 weeks for 500 or more. Notice does not start until the Director of Employment Standards receives Form 1. Post Form 1 and give each employee a copy, plus the Employment Ontario Career Supports information sheet (since 1 July 2025).

We did not confirm group termination rules for the other provinces and territories; check with the provincial office before planning cuts.

Example: A seasonal packing plant in the Niagara region

Sofia manages a fruit packing plant in Ontario that has 70 staff at its peak. When a major customer leaves, she plans to end 55 jobs over 3 weeks. Because 55 is 50 or more within 4 weeks, it is a mass termination, and 50 to 199 employees means 8 weeks' notice.

Sofia files Form 1 with the Director first, because notice does not run until it is received. She then posts the form, gives each employee a copy with the Employment Ontario information sheet, and checks whether any employee is also owed severance pay.

Hollis handles the exit checklist

For each person leaving, Hollis's exit checklist shows the final pay timing, vacation pay owed and the Record of Employment deadline.

Try Hollis live

Free tools and guides for this

Questions about group termination (mass termination)

How many employees is a mass termination in Ontario?

50 or more employees at one establishment within a 4-week period. Notice is 8, 12 or 16 weeks depending on how many people are affected.

Does a group termination change each employee's notice?

In Ontario, yes: the mass termination notice period depends on the number of employees affected, not on each person's service. In Alberta, individual notices are still required alongside the notice to the minister.

Do I need to tell the government about a layoff?

Only if it meets your jurisdiction's group termination threshold. Alberta, for example, does not require group notice for temporary layoffs.

Official sources

General information for Canadian employers, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and territory and change over time, so check with your provincial employment standards office (or the federal Labour Program if you are federally regulated) before you rely on it. See employment standards by province.

Checked against official sources on 4 November 2026.