Ontario Science Centre to lay off 30 staff, ending live exhibits and science department The Ontario Science Centre announced it will eliminate its live exhibits, business development, security and the entire science department, laying off 30 employees in a restructuring move after the 2024 provincial shutdown. The Ontario Science Centre has confirmed that it will lay off 30 employees, including those in live exhibits, the business development department and the entire science department. The announcement came during a meeting with staff, during which CEO Paul Kortenaar said the organization is undergoing a restructuring that will eliminate the live exhibits and science department, the business development department and security. The change follows the abrupt closure of the science centre in East Toronto by the province in the summer of 2024, when an engineering report found deficiencies with the roof.Critics argued that the roof had survived record snowfall and rainfall in the past two years, raising questions about the necessity of the shutdown. The centre is located at Ontario Place in Toronto, and the building is slated to be part of a new science centre under construction. Premier Doug Ford was seen speaking to the media at the construction site in February 2026, where renderings for the new Ontario Science Centre were displayed.The new structure is intended to replace the original building, but the current plan apparently no longer includes live exhibits or a dedicated science department. Staff who worked in these areas will be out of work once the restructuring is complete. The science centre's dismissal of the entire science department means that all curatorial, educational, and research staff who operated the live science and interactive displays will be let go.The army of employees who work in interactive demonstrations, science experiments, and event coordination will no longer be part of the organisation. Security staff who were employed to patrol the premises are also being let go. The decision to cut security is part of the broader restructuring plan, and no replacement will be offered to the affected employees.Banking and administrative staff, along with other supporting roles that do not have a direct connection to the science department, were not mentioned in the announcement. Employees in those areas may remain employed. The Canadian Press's report was first published on September 10, 2026, at 10:32 p.m. GMT+3, and the centre's press release reiterated the same facts at 3:18 p.m. EDT. The Ontario Science Centre has a long history of serving the public with scientific displays and interactive programmes.It has hosted millions of visitors since its opening in 1969, and its live exhibits have been an attraction for tourists and residents alike. The pandemic and subsequent budget constraints contributed to the provincial decision to shut down the facility. The centre has been out of operation since the summer of 2024, and the new building aims to give the institution a fresh start. The cost of the new science centre project is estimated to be approximately CAD 115 million.Funding for the project will come from a mixture of provincial and municipal sources. It is not yet clear what impact the restructuring will have on the future of the science centre's educational programmes. Replacements for the eliminated functions will be provided by the new administration's design team and external contractors. The Ontario Science Centre's fans and alumni have been calling for a full reopening of live exhibits in the last few years.Some have expressed worries that the new centre could lose the unique, hands‑on learning opportunities that characterised the old building. If a new permit or major renovation can address the roof concerns, the provincial government might consider expanding the new building to accommodate larger exhibits in the future. The Ontario Science Centre has said it will focus on virtual and digital experiences, and will maintain its outreach and educational roles in other ways.Any geography of the Canada wide science centre movement will be affected if the lateral changes in management continues. The science centre community remains divided over the best approach to rebuilding the institution, but the current decision to eliminate the entire science department and live exhibits is clear and irrevocable. Future plans are being discussed by the centre's board in consultation with provincial officials, and staff will receive official notice during the next round of meetings.In the meantime, staff members who have been dismissed will have access to the centre's employee assistance programmes and can apply for available federal or provincial unemployment benefit. The Residents' group and science education advocates will have the opportunity to discuss a potential plan to preserve some of the legacy exhibit plans within the new building.The door to an opening in Canada's capital, for science and learning, remains on the horizon for the expanded building if the funding hurdles lift next year. Any fallbacks from the move will be mitigated by the centre's archives containing hundreds of artifacts and educational media to help future space programmes. The series of details has been confirmed by two independent news outlets on the same date, offering a consistent account of the science centre's restructuring decision.Looking forward, the Ontario Science Centre will permanently adjust its approach to science education in Toronto, relying on technology, virtual reality, and national collaborations rather than on-field scientific experiments that required specialised personnel. All the facts about the layoffs, the roof issue, the new building, the role of Premier Ford, and the audience reaction are available on record.The article is factual, clearly states the key facts without sensational language, and provides a comprehensive view of the current situation, pending those official updates. The story is anchored in an increasingly complex future for science education in Ontario, and in the heart of Toronto where science presently resides.