The Canadian Centre for Architecture, the pioneering Montreal museum founded in 1989 by architect-activist Phyllis Lambert, fired 42 of its 160 staff yesterday.

In what a statement called a "restructuring of resources" and an effort to establish "a leaner, more flexible culture," the museum also said it is reducing its annual operating budget to about $14.5 million from $17.5 million.

Louise Sansregret, director of public affairs, said the centre has not been losing money. "We are not in economic difficulty. This has to be very clear."

She said 35 full-time and seven contract staff were laid off. All received at least two months notice. They work to set up exhibitions, on publications and in the centre library, among other areas.

Several of those laid off said the whole publications staff has been axed. Some high-level staff and some with long service are among those laid off.

One staffer said many of those laid off had no inkling what was coming until they were called in for individual interviews with Robert Spickler, associate director of the museum.

Lambert is to attend a staff meeting Monday.

The centre said its strategic plan for 2003-07 reflects "a change in scale of operations, to respond to the current economic climate" and build for the future. There will be more emphasis on the "formidable strength and range" of the museum's own collections and on research.

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