‘Always sad to lose anybody’: StarFish confirms cuts amid turbulence

What’s going on at StarFish Medical?

StarFish Medical, a medical technology design firm based in Saanich, has laid off approximately 10% of its workforce, citing the impact of global tariffs and a cooling North American investment climate.

• 11 full-time staff in Saanich were laid off Wednesday, with a few additional part-time roles affected, CEO Scott Phillips confirmed in an interview with CHEK News.
• The company employed 115 people at its Saanich headquarters prior to the layoffs, located at 455 Boleskine Rd.
• A similar number of staff were let go at the company’s Toronto office, where the impact is “more noticeable” due to the smaller team.

What’s driving the decision?

Phillips cited a combination of trade instability, tariff regimes, and weakening investor confidence, particularly in the U.S. – the company’s largest market – as reasons for the downsizing.

• Only 10% of StarFish’s revenue comes from products. Most of its business comes from contract design services, yet the uncertainty has still rippled through the company’s operations.
• The medical tech firm has completed “tens of millions” of dollars in deals with U.S. companies that often sell globally, meaning tariffs and trade slowdowns impact the whole pipeline.

Departments affected and future outlook

Layoffs were made across several departments including engineering, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, accounting, manufacturing, and facilities.

• Phillips described it as a “light cut across all of it,” not a dramatic restructuring.
• “We’ll be fine, our clients are strong,” he said. “But we couldn’t continue to hold on to that much capacity.”

Despite the layoffs, Phillips remains optimistic:

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Lost Your Job? Get Help Now

📞 Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP: 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Our experienced employment lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia (BC) have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues, including wrongful dismissals.

If you’ve lost your job at Starfish Medical for any reason, don’t panic. We can review your situation, assess your legal options, and help you secure the compensation you’re legally entitled to.

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