Ontario Science Centre laying off entire science department

TORONTO — The Ontario Science Centre has laid off 30 workers including the entire science department, The Canadian Press has learned.

Science centre CEO Paul Kortenaar told employees at a meeting today that the organization is being restructured.

The science centre is eliminating the live exhibits and science department, the business development department and security.

Kortenaar says he expects new roles to open up in the future.

The province abruptly closed the science centre in east Toronto in the summer of 2024, citing an engineering report that found deficiencies with the roof.

Critics have questioned that given the roof has survived record snowfall and rainfall in the past two years.

The government is building a new $1-billion science centre at Ontario Place.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2026.

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press