‘Not about stepping back’: Vancouver’s Rennie cuts 25% of staff amid real estate downturn

What’s going on at Rennie?

Rennie, a prominent Vancouver real estate marketing and brokerage firm, has laid off 31 members of its head office team, representing more than 25% of its total staff.

• The cuts were confirmed in an email from President Greg Zayadi, who acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and the scale of change facing the industry.
• Zayadi cited wide-ranging disruptions — including geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, AI, and housing affordability — as forces “fundamentally reshaping” the real estate sector.
• The move, according to Rennie, is part of a broader strategy to “reimagine how we work” and build resilience in a volatile market.

What’s driving the staff reductions?

The layoffs come as B.C.’s real estate market continues to cool, especially in the Lower Mainland:

• Home sales in the region fell 29.1% in April 2025, compard to the same month last year, per a recent Royal Bank of Canada report
• Slower project launches, hesitant buyers, and tighter financing conditions are pressuring marketing firms like Rennie that rely on development pipelines and pre-construction activity.
• Industry analysts say these kinds of cuts are becoming more common as firms recalibrate their staffing to align with market demand.

Outreach online

Zayadi said that since announcing the layoffs on LinkedIn, multiple companies have reached out about hiring affected Rennie team members.

• That outreach could offer a quicker employment rebound for some, especially those in tech, design, and marketing roles.
• Rennie has not disclosed details about severance or transition support for departing staff.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Can I be fired after a bad performance review in Ontario?
• What Albertans need to do if they’re fired after a bad performance review
• Fired after a bad performance review in BC: Employee rights

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 Rennie 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.

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.