Canadian Tire Closing 17 Atmosphere Stores – What Employees Need to Know

What’s Happening?

Canadian Tire has announced the closure of 17 Atmosphere retail stores across Canada as part of its “True North” transformation plan.

“We will operate more efficiently and go to market more strategically, harnessing our banners and loyalty system to elevate our scale,” CEO Greg Hicks said in a statement to The Canadian Press.

While exact store locations have not been confirmed, Atmosphere currently operates approximately 80 stores nationwide.

How Will This Affect Atmosphere Employees?

If you’re a non-unionized employee at one of the affected Atmosphere stores, the closure of your location may result in termination without cause—and that means you are owed severance pay.

Severance entitlements apply whether you’re full-time, part-time, or hourly. You may be entitled to as much as 24 months’ pay, depending on your:

• Length of service
• Age
• Position
• Ability to find new work
• Terms in your employment contract

What Happens If You’re Offered a New Role?

If Canadian Tire offers you a job at another store, assess whether the offer is:

• Comparable in responsibilities
• Reasonably close in location
• Equal in pay and benefits

If it’s not—and you turn it down—you may still be entitled to full severance. But every situation is different, so it’s best to speak to an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Severance, Working Notice & Legal Options

Canadian Tire may choose to:

• Offer working notice (where you remain employed until the store closes)
• Provide a severance package
• Use a combination of both

If what’s offered doesn’t meet your full legal entitlement, you are owed additional compensation.

5 Steps to Take If You Lost Your Job

1️⃣ Don’t Sign Anything Right Away
Take your time reviewing all termination documents. The deadline from your employer is not legally binding.

2️⃣ Save All Documents
Save copies of termination letters, severance offers, and correspondence with your employer for future reference.

3️⃣ Estimate Your Severance
Use our free Severance Pay Calculator to get a quick, confidential assessment.

4️⃣ Speak to an Employment Lawyer
Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP for personalized legal advice before accepting anything.

5️⃣ Start Job Searching
This not only help you move forward—it also strengthens your severance claim.

Why Samfiru Tumarkin LLP?

Unlike employment law firms that rely heavily on courtroom victories, our proven strategy focuses on maximizing severance packages early in the claim process — helping clients avoid the time, cost, and stress of litigation.

If you’ve lost your job at Canadian Tire for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and BC have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.