StarMetro papers going digital-only outside Ontario
Posted Nov 19, 2019 02:40:40 PM.
Last Updated Nov 19, 2019 02:52:35 PM.
TORONTO–TorStar Corp. is shuttering the print versions of its StarMetro series of free daily newspapers across the country.
The company says it’s going to transition to a digital-only model.
Torstar closing StarMetro free daily print publications across Canada (Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Halifax). 73 editorial, advertising, and distribution employees to be laid off Dec. 20. Most of the staff. There will be digital bureaus instead. pic.twitter.com/MIH7rIpt37
— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) November 19, 2019
“StarMetro will publish final print editions in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax on Dec. 20, however, commuters will continue to be served by the Star’s growing roster of mobile, digital and newsletter offerings from the Star,” reads a statement from Bob Hepburn, Communications Director with TorStar.
“We are going digital-only outside of Ontario as more and more of our commuter readers are using their smartphones, laptops, and tablets to access their news on their way to and from work. This trend, coupled with a corresponding decline in print advertising volumes, has decreased the need for a free daily commuter newspaper in these cities.”
A fairly unsurprising turn of events: the Toronto Star is shutting down the Star Metro newspapers across the country, which means I (and all my colleagues) will soon be out of a job. Last print edition coming Dec. 20.
— Taryn Grant (@tarynalgrant) November 19, 2019
I'm at #yyccc even though I got a layoff notice today because I frankly don't know what else to do with my life. Some updates, probably, to come!
— Madeline Smith (@meksmith) November 19, 2019
The change means 73 employees are being laid off.
TorStar says the final print editions of the Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Halifax StarMetro will be published Dec. 20.